L&T – Sojitz JV Begins OHE Work for Mumbai – Ahmedabad Bullet Train

Larsen & Toubro – Sojitz Corporation Consortium has started installing electrification masts on the viaduct of the 508 km Mumbai – Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR Bullet Train) project in Gujarat.

These masts of Package EW-1 will support the 2 x 25 kV overhead equipment (OHE) system of India’s first high-speed rail line to transmit energy and enable the line’s Shinkansen train-sets to operate up to speeds of up to 320 kmph and two Indian trains to run up to speeds of 250 kmph.

This development comes roughly 9 months after India’s National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd. (NHSRCL) awarded Larsen & Toubro – Sojitz Corporation Consortium with the line’s 25kV power supply electrification contract EW-1 in January 2024 with a contract value ranging between Rs. 10,000 to 15,000 crore.

L&T – Sojitz JV’s scope includes designing and commissioning traction substations, switching substations, distribution systems, associated buildings, training institute equipment for the entire MAHSR corridor and 3 depots located in Thane (Package D1), Surat (Part of Package C4) and Sabarmati (Package D2).

Some random bloke on YouTube last week uploaded a video of the first mast going up. The account name says L&T, but it’s not their official channel.

Here are a few screenshots:

This development definitetly took place on 237.1 km civil Package C-4 (Vadodara – Zaroli) which is in the most-advanced stage of construction by Larsen & Toubro. I’ve tried geolocating the exact spot, and it seems to be Surat Depot area – view satellite imagery here.

A list of all bullet train civil & system packages and their status / contractors can be viewed here.

For more updates, check out the High Speed Rail section or my Home Page! Sign up for free instant email notifications on new posts over here. Like this post? Get early-access to updates and support the site over here.

– TMRG

H/T: Souvik Mukherjee