India's Bullet Train Project to Introduce J-Slab Track System
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project is set to introduce the innovative J-Slab track system, a first in India, modeled after the Japanese Shinkansen track system. Covering 352 km across Gujarat & DNH, the project entails laying 704 km of track on viaducts, including two Bullet Train depots at Sabarmati and Surat. The track installation process is mechanized, employing state-of-the-art machinery tailored to Japanese specifications. Embracing the Make-in-India (MII) policy, some machines are now being manufactured domestically. Progress in Gujarat is notable, with over 35,000 MT of rails and three sets of track construction machinery already received. The fleet includes rail feeder cars, track slab laying cars, CAM laying cars, and flash butt welding machines, crucial for efficient track construction. Assembly, testing, and commissioning of these machines are currently underway, marking significant strides in India's high-speed rail infrastructure development.