Semi-high-speed rail corridor on Mum-Ahm route nears completion

With 95% of the work on it completed, the semi-high-speed rail corridor on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route is almost done.

- Shashank Rao

MUMBAI: Once complete, trains such as Vande Bharat, Rajdhani, and Shatabdi can run at 160 kmph, bringing down travel time substantially. The rail corridor is part of Western Railway's (WR) 92 priority projects, which are collectively worth over ₹9,862 crore and is the most expensive one at ₹8,095 crore.

According to WR officials, the minimum necessary work on upgrading rail tracks, installing metal beam fencing and ballast cushioning to the desired level for trains to run at 160kmph is complete. WR has completed vital engineering works, which include strengthening 120-plus bridge approaches, rehabilitation of 138 bridges, and straightening of 134 curvatures along the route. It has also installed safety barriers along 792 km to prevent trespassing by people and cattle.