The 1400km Western DFC will connect Delhi with Mumbai and involves installing numerous turnouts, building more than 1300 bridges and 20 stations. The eastern section is likewise a 1900km stretch of new standard-gauge railway infrastructure. Three Plasser SVM 1000 track machines, built by Plasser India and capable of laying up to 300km of sleepers and rails per year, are working across both projects.
On the Eastern DFC, which will link Delhi and Kolkata, GMR Group is using two continuous action SVM 1000 I track laying machines, which were purchased in the last two years. In addition, the contractor is using two Duomatic 08-32 C track tamping machines, one Unimat 08-275 3S universal tamping machine, two PBR 400 ballast profiling machines with integrated turntable and one DGS 62 N Dynamic Track Stabiliser for associated construction tasks.
On the Western DFC Larsen & Toubro is using one SVM 1000 I track machine as well as track maintenance machines, Duomatic 08-32 C, PBR 400 and DGS 62.
SVM 1000 I
Each SVM 1000 I is equipped with one laying unit and two portal units, and a clip unit. The construction train is supplemented by flat wagons for transport of rail and sleepers. GMR Group is using 45 wagons, with one layer of 12 250m rails sitting below four layers of sleepers which have been manufactured in India. When in operation, 24 wagons are coupled to the machine with sufficient material for 1.5km of track, which corresponds to the output expected during a six-hour shift.
The DFCs are scheduled to carry their first traffic in 2022. Ultimately the two corridors are expected to transport 55% of Indian Railways’ total rail freight traffic.
