100 m long ‘Make in India’ Steel Bridge Completed in Ahmedabad for Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project

A major milestone has been achieved in the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project with the completion of a 100‑metre-long ‘Make in India’ steel bridge in Ahmedabad. This is the 13th of 17 planned steel bridges in Gujarat, designed to safely span over an underground metro tunnel without transferring load onto it.

Project Milestone Details
- Bridge Length: 100 metres
- Location: Ahmedabad district, Gujarat
- Weight: Over 1,000 tonnes of domestically manufactured steel
- Design: Steel truss structure, assembled with 45,000+ high-strength bolts
- Purpose: To cross over an underground metro tunnel between Kalupur and Shahpur stations without impacting the tunnel’s structural integrity.
- Completion Date: January 2026

Engineering Highlights
- Precision Assembly: The bridge was first erected using temporary supports at a height of 16.5 metres, then lowered onto permanent supports with advanced engineering techniques.
- Durability: Special protective coatings applied to withstand environmental wear and ensure long service life.
- Innovation: Foundations were deliberately placed away from the metro tunnel to avoid load transfer, showcasing integration of high-speed rail with existing city infrastructure.

Significance in the Bullet Train Project
- 13th Steel Bridge in Gujarat: Out of 17 planned, most are now in advanced stages of execution.
- Part of High-Speed Rail Corridor: Designed for trains running at speeds up to 320 km/h between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
- Make in India Initiative: Entirely built using domestically manufactured steel, reinforcing India’s self-reliance in infrastructure projects.

Outlook
- The Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train is targeted to begin operations by 2027, with construction milestones like this bridge marking steady progress.
- Upcoming work includes completion of the remaining steel bridges and viaducts, ensuring seamless integration across Gujarat and Maharashtra.