80-Metre Steel Bridge Launched for Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Corridor in Gujarat

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project achieved another major engineering milestone with the successful launch of an 80-metre-long ‘Make in India’ steel bridge over the Anupam Flyover (Railway Road Over Bridge) in Ahmedabad.

The Ministry of Railways said the newly launched steel bridge is part of the high-speed rail corridor being developed between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. The bridge crosses the Ahmedabad–Mumbai main railway line of Western Railway’s Sabarmati–Vatva section and connects a crucial road network between Khokhra Apparel Park Metro Station and Kankaria Lake .

In Ahmedabad district, the Bullet Train viaduct is largely being constructed through the Span-by-Span (SBS) construction method , with standard spans ranging from 30 to 50 metres. However, at the Anupam Flyover crossing, the location of the existing structure required the piers to be placed on both sides of the flyover, making an extended 80-metre span necessary.

The massive steel bridge weighs 1,004 metric tonnes , stands 14 metres high and has a width of 14.4 metres . It was fabricated at Zetwerk’s manufacturing facility in Wardha, Maharashtra , before being transported to the project site for assembly and launching.

A specially designed temporary launching arrangement measuring 10.8 metres by 140 metres and weighing around 1,110 metric tonnes was created to support the assembly process. The bridge was assembled approximately 18 metres above ground level using 18 skid arrangements and 35,602 Tor-Shear Type High Strength (TTHS) bolts to ensure structural strength and safety.

After assembly, the bridge was moved longitudinally over the temporary launching structure using hydraulic jacks. The operation was carried out during a planned traffic block approved by local authorities to ensure public safety and compliance with safety standards. The structure was later side-slewed to achieve accurate alignment with the Bullet Train viaduct.

The bridge has been equipped with a C5 protective painting system and elastomeric bearings to improve durability and control vibrations over its operational life.

With this achievement, 15 of the 17 steel bridges planned in Gujarat have been completed . Across the entire Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train corridor , a total of 28 steel bridges are planned, marking continued progress in India’s first high-speed rail project.