Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train: NHSRCL To Build Depot, Lay Grinders Amid Aim To Start Service By 15 August 2022

The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) is planning to operationalise at least one section of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project by 5 August 2022, the Hindustan Times reports.

“We will open the tender [for the elevated section] in August and will award it by the year-end. The expected cost of the civil work of this 237-km section is ₹20,000 crore. This includes the temporary depot in Surat in case we will have to open this section before August 15, 2022...,” NHSRCL MD Achal Khare said.

To achieve its deadline, the NHSRCL would set up a temporary depot, use new technology to lay grinders and other time-saving measures. The corporation has prepared designs for various structures along the section, which would be shared with the prospective contractor, saving eight to nine months once the tender is awarded.

The temporary depot will be built in Surat, the report adds. The NHSRCL decided Surat as it would be able to keep the trains in case the government decides to open the elevated section of the project first. The corporation would also ask the contractor to use the full span launching method for laying girders, which would also save time.