The construction of the Vadodara High-Speed Rail Station, part of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, is underway near the Pandya Bridge, spanning over 16,467 square meters. This development comes after the dismantling of Platform 7 at Vadodara railway junction, as per a revised alignment design aimed at reducing construction challenges and cost.

The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) is overseeing the construction and has requested the Western Railways for a daily three-hour suspension of rail traffic through Vadodara city for 37 days, beginning in March. This suspension will help with the construction of a critical viaduct crossing over the main passenger railway line. The project has already saved approximately Rs 2,000 crore of the total sanctioned Rs 1.08 lakh crore budget by redesigning this section.

The revised plan reduces the complex task of crossing over multiple railway platforms, which was initially slated to require a 220-meter girder span across 13 tracks. Instead, the redesigned alignment reduces the span to just two main lines between the Akota and Jetalpur bridges, requiring a 4.3 km change in alignment. This change not only simplifies the construction but also prevents the displacement of local residents and businesses.

The civil work for the 352 km-long Gujarat section, which includes eight km of Vadodara city, is expected to be completed by December this year. The elevated corridor will have 32 spans, half of which will cross the passenger line, with the remainder spanning the freight corridor.

In response to safety and operational concerns, composite girders, made of steel and concrete, will be launched for the viaduct, with a speed limit of 30 kmph for passenger trains passing below during construction. The NHSRCL is planning to complete the girder spans on both the Surat and Ahmedabad ends by the end of the year, minimizing disruption to regular train services.

With this redesign, the Vadodara bullet train station will integrate seamlessly with the existing Vadodara Railway Station, offering improved connectivity and accessibility for passengers while enhancing the region’s transportation infrastructure.

Image Source: Metro Rail Today