Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has reported the winning of a mega order for electrification of the upcoming Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Project, popularly referred to as the “Bullet Train” project.
In a release, L&T said that The Railways Strategic Business Group of L&T Construction has secured a mega contract from an authorised Japanese agency to construct 508 route km of High-Speed Electrification System Works (Package No: EW 1) for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project.
Scope of works
The scope of this package includes design, manufacture, supply, construction, installation, testing and commissioning of 2 x 25kV power supply electrification system including traction substations, high speed overhead equipment and MV/LV power distribution equipment works on design-build lump sum price basis.
Shinkansen technology
It is a first of its kind railway electrification project for India involving the implementation of Japanese Shinkansen High Speed Electrification Technology with sophisticated equipment including Heavy Compound Catenary System, Change Over Switches etc, the release said.
Upon completion, this electrification system will enable trains to travel at speeds of up to 320 kmph.
Order value
Though the L&T release has not specified the value of the contract, it is understood to be in the range of Rs.10,000 crore to Rs.15,000 crore.
Funding agency
This project is being funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and is being implemented by an authorised Japanese agency acting for and on behalf of National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd (NHSRCL).
Paradigm shift
Commenting on this win, L&T Chairman & Managing Director Mr S N Subrahmanyan said “This MAHSR Systems Package is critical for the success of the Bullet Train project. This success on top of the earlier track works and civil packages reflects the customer’s and the Japanese government’s huge trust on L&T’s design and execution capabilities. Realization of MAHSR Project will change the paradigm of long-distance transportation in the country.”
Single-largest order
According to Rajeev Jyoti, Advisor to Chairman & Managing Director for Railways Business, “This is the largest single railway electrification project order ever placed in India. Our Railways Business is now in a unique position to leverage our strengths in design, procurement, construction capabilities as well as our relationship with various Japanese stakeholders for successful execution.”
Other packages
L&T is currently executing several civil viaduct, station packages, track & depot packages and special steel bridges packages for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) project, the release added.
Also read: L&T Wins Major Power T&D Orders In India, Abroad
Featured photograph (source: nhsrcl.in) shows a file picture of construction of Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Project’s viaduct at Bharuch in Gujarat.
