The National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd (NHSRCL) and Indian Railways completed a major engineering task in Maninagar, Ahmedabad. Five massive precast-prestressed portal beams were installed over active railway lines within 22 days. This work took place on the Ahmedabad-Vadodara section without causing major disruptions to regular train traffic.
What were the technical details of the beams?
The project involved lifting beams with immense weight using a 2,200 metric-ton crawler crane. This was the first time such a crane was used on Indian railway tracks for this purpose. The installation of each beam took about 3.5 hours, which is much faster than the previous 9-hour blocks.
| Beam Number | Weight (Metric Tonnes) |
|---|---|
| Portal Beam-1 | 1360 MT |
| Portal Beam-2 | 1170 MT |
| Portal Beam-3 | 1340 MT |
| Portal Beam-4 | 1350 MT |
| Portal Beam-5 | 1340 MT |
When and how was the execution handled?
The installation happened in phases on April 8, 13, 19, 24, and 29, 2026. The heaviest beam of 1,360 MT was launched first on April 8. Officials managed the operation through strict safety protocols and coordination with Western Railway to ensure the Ahmedabad-Vadodara ‘Up’, ‘Down’, and third lines remained operational.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much time did it take to install the five beams?
The entire process of installing five mega portal beams was completed within 22 days, with each beam taking approximately 3.5 hours to launch.
Which equipment was used for this heavy lifting?
A 2,200 metric-ton crawler crane was used for the installation, marking its first use on Indian railway tracks for such a project.
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