Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Underground Section’s Geotechnical Work Begins

Sarathy Geotech & Engineering Services Pvt Ltd. through a subcontract from Afcons Infrastructure has started geotechnical soil investigation work for 20.377 km underground Package C-2 of the 508.17 km Mumbai – Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR Bullet Train).

This exciting development comes just weeks after Afcons Infrastructure was awarded C-2’s Rs. 6397.27 crore contract by India’s National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd. (NHSRCL) with a 1888 day (5.17 years) deadline.

An investigation along this underground section connecting chainage Km 0.773 (Bandra Kurla Complex Station) to Km 21.150 (Shilphata Ramp) was previously subcontracted in 2017 by NHSRCL. This new round of standard penetration tests (SPT) are being done to revalidate those findings to help properly design and construct the line’s twin tunnels and shafts.

Sarathy Geotech has deployed their state of art TMG-CSR 183 drill rig from the United States, which is a high-end multi-purpose drilling machine that offers significant advantages in terms of efficiency, safety, accuracy, and versatility in geotechnical investigations.

The quality output is consistent as the machine is built for purpose. This in-situ quality data acquisition will help designers make better judgements for optimal design foundations to save time & money.

Afcons will construct 3 shafts at BKC Station, Vikhroli, and Sawli at approximate depths of 36m, 56m and 39m respectively to launch and retrieve 3 Mega Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) with a diameter of roughly 13.1 meters to bore approximately 16 kms of tunnel.

An inclined shaft of 42m at Ghansoli and tunnel portal at Shilphata will facilitate NATM tunneling works.

Per a couple reliable industry sources, Afcons has still not finalized the supplier for their 3 TBMs. Whenever confirmed, I’ll write a quick post – so stay tuned!

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– TMRG