With a total length of 1.4 km, this bridge is the longest river bridge in the Gujarat section of the project and is located between Surat and Bharuch stations. (NHRSCL)
Five of the 25 well foundations are more than 70 meters deep, with the deepest reaching an astonishing 77.11 meters. To put this into perspective, four of the foundations will be taller than Delhi's iconic Qutub Minar, which is 72.5 meters tall
Construction of the Narmada river bridge in Gujarat, part of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor, is progressing at a rapid pace with 19 of the 25 well foundations ready and installation of the superstructure started.
With a total length of 1.4 km, this bridge is the longest river bridge in the Gujarat section of the project and is located between Surat and Bharuch stations.
Designed with 24 spans and circular piers up to 18 meters high, the bridge will be an important milestone in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project.
19 basics completed
As the backbone of India's first high-speed rail, the bridge is not only a feat of modern engineering but also a symbol of the country's infrastructure ambitions.
The Narmada River is known as the “lifeline of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat” and has immense cultural and geographical significance. It flows through central India and provides agriculture, drinking water and hydropower to millions of people, and is also home to the Sardar Sarovar Dam, India's third tallest concrete dam. The profound significance of the river made the construction of the bridge both challenging and crucial.
The bridge is built on 25 well foundations, 5 of which are more than 70 meters deep, with the deepest reaching an astonishing 77.11 meters. To put this into perspective, the height of four of the foundations will exceed the height of Delhi's iconic Qutub Minar, which stands at 72.5 metres. Well foundations are one of the oldest and most efficient types of foundations constructed on broad rivers and are crucial in ensuring the stability of the deep and often unstable bed of the Narmada.
obstacle
However, the construction process was not without its challenges. The site faced major setbacks during the monsoon and subsequent floods in September 2023, when the Sardar Sarovar dam released around 1.8 million cubic feet of water. The resulting power surge damaged temporary steel bridges necessary for construction activity, swamped heavy cranes and disrupted power connections. Unfavorable conditions made the front line inaccessible, putting the project schedule at risk.
Despite these obstacles, teams led by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) worked around the clock and field engineers managed to restore operations and resolve critical issues such as well “tilt” and “shift”, challenging due to natural forces such as tidal waves and high river flow. Using the Jack-Down method, these issues are resolved, ensuring foundation stability and alignment.
Vivek Kumar Gupta, Managing Director, NHSRCL said, “Our engineers are working tirelessly to ensure the smooth completion of the bridge over the mighty Narmada river. This bridge is the longest river bridge in the Gujarat section of the project. Despite the challenges faced Despite complex challenges, our dedicated team continues to move forward with precision and determination.
The bridge is just one of 24 river bridges planned along the corridor, 20 of which are in Gujarat and four in Maharashtra. As the project progresses, the Narmada River Bridge becomes a symbol of India's move into the future of transportation, connecting two major cities through a state-of-the-art bullet train system.
