Bridge Over Kolak River Completed for Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project
New Delhi [India], July 16: A major milestone has been achieved in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project with the completion of the bridge over the Kolak River in Valsad district, Gujarat. This bridge is a crucial part of India’s first high-speed rail corridor.
The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) announced that the Kolak River bridge is 160 meters long and features four full-span girders, each 40 meters in length. The bridge’s piers range from 14 to 23 meters in height and include both 4-meter and 5-meter diameter circular piers.
Strategically located between the Vapi and Bilimora Bullet Train stations, the bridge follows the successful completion of bridges over the Auranga and Par rivers. The Kolak River originates from the Saputara hills and flows into the Arabian Sea, near Vapi and Bilimora stations.
This achievement brings the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project closer to reality, promising to reduce travel time and boost economic growth. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the project will be ready by 2026, with initial services between Surat and Bilimora.
The project, launched in 2017 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japan’s then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has been progressing steadily since November 2021 despite initial delays due to land acquisition challenges. NHSRCL, incorporated in 2016, is responsible for financing, constructing, maintaining, and managing the High-Speed Rail Corridor in India.
Doubts Revealed
Kolak River -: The Kolak River is a river in the state of Gujarat, India. It flows through the region and is now part of the new bridge for the bullet train project.
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train -: This is India’s first high-speed train project that will connect Mumbai, a big city in Maharashtra, to Ahmedabad, a big city in Gujarat. It will make travel much faster between these two cities.
high-speed rail corridor -: A high-speed rail corridor is a special train route where trains can travel very fast, much faster than regular trains. This helps people reach their destinations quicker.
full-span girders -: Full-span girders are large, strong beams used in construction to support bridges. They help make the bridge stable and strong.
Vapi and Bilimora -: Vapi and Bilimora are towns in Gujarat, India. The new bridge for the bullet train is located between these two places.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi -: Narendra Modi is the current Prime Minister of India. He is the leader of the country and helps make important decisions.
Shinzo Abe -: Shinzo Abe was the Prime Minister of Japan. He worked with India to help start the bullet train project.
operational by 2026 -: This means that the bullet train is expected to start running and carrying passengers by the year 2026.
Surat -: Surat is a large city in Gujarat, India. It is one of the places where the bullet train will initially start running.