Leaving nothing to chance, National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd (NHSRCL) is installing an early earthquake detection system on the Mumbai-Ahemdabad High Speed Rail Corridor, a precautionary measure against natural calamity.

Twenty-eight (28) seismometers will be installed for the bullet train project, a first in India, to ensure the safety of passengers and critical infrastructure during earthquakes.

This early earthquake detection system, based on Japanese Shinkansen technology, will detect earthquake-induced tremors through primary waves and enable an automatic power shutdown.

Emergency brakes will be activated when the power shutdown is detected and the trains running in the affected area shall stop.

“Enhancing safety on the bullet train corridor between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, 28 seismometers, inspired by Japanese Shinkansen technology, will stand guard against earthquakes. This early earthquake detection system, strategically placed along the alignment and in earthquake-prone areas, will ensure swift response by initiating automatic power shutdown and activating emergency brakes. These seismometers showcase innovation and represent proactive steps to safeguard passengers and protect critical infrastructure,” said Anjum Pervez, Managing Director, NHSRCL.

Out of the 28 seismometers, 22 will be installed along the alignment. Eight will be in Maharashtra — Mumbai, Thane, Virar, and Boisar — and fourteen will be in Gujarat — Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Mahembadad, and Ahmedabad.

Seismometers will be installed in traction sub-stations and switching posts along the alignment.

The remaining six seismometers (termed as inland seismometers) will be installed in earthquake-prone areas — Khed, Ratnagiri, Latur, and Pangri in Maharashtra, and Adesar and Old Bhuj in Gujarat.

The areas near the MAHSR alignment, where earthquakes greater than 5.5 magnitudes have occurred in the past 100 years, were surveyed by Japanese experts.

After a detailed survey and soil suitability study through a microtremor test, the above sites were selected.

NHSRCL is gearing up to complete the 50-km-long Bilimora and Surat segment of the bullet train project by July 2026 so that a trial run of a high-speed train can be conducted in the section.

Currently, the land-acquiring process is almost complete for the entire Bullet train project.

However, since the land acquisition was delayed in Maharashtra for various reasons, the high-speed train is likely to be operational in the 350 km long Gujarat section first in August 2027.