Surat city is on track to inaugurate a unique underpass project that will allow for smooth traffic flow beneath operational railway lines. The ambitious project involves constructing a 500-meter underpass with a 16-meter wide and 180-meter long tunnel box passing under a total of seven railway tracks on the Surat-Bhusaval main line.

The project, connecting Dindoli Navagam to Nilgiri Circle at Udhna Yard, has already crossed the 70% completion mark. However, the biggest challenge for engineers was ensuring minimal disruption to train services.

Overcoming the Challenge: Building Under Live Tracks

Jatin Desai, Bridge Department Officer, and Jayank Ramjiwala, Bridge Department Executive Engineer, at the Surat Municipal Corporation, explained the ingenious solution. To avoid stopping train movement entirely, they secured three to four-hour blocks from the Railways over four days. This allowed them to shift four of the seven tracks and install a "relieving girder" to support the underpass construction underneath.

On Wednesday and Thursday, the Railways provided additional blocks. During these times, a 34-meter section of the existing railway track was dismantled and replaced with pre-cast tracks. Additionally, hydraulic jacks will be used to position the RCC box under the remaining four parallel tracks.

A Pioneering Project for Gujarat

Once complete, Surat will hold the distinction of being the first city in Gujarat to successfully construct an underground truss structure for such a long RCC box (180 meters) beneath active railway tracks.

The project faced an additional hurdle – the need to create space for three new railway tracks. This was achieved by relocating a cement warehouse near the Surat railway station. Municipal engineers initially faced hesitation from senior railway officials regarding the underpass construction plan. However, a detailed presentation convinced them, and the green light was given for this innovative project.