The National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL) said on Monday that 28 seismometers will be installed for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad 'bullet train' corridor for early detection of earthquakes.
A seismometer is a device that is sensitive to vibrations caused by quakes, volcanic eruptions, and explosions.
In a release issued during the day, the NHSRCL said 'Early Earthquake Detection System' based on the Japanese Shinkansen technology will be installed to ensure the safety of passengers and critical infrastructure.
Out of the 28 seismometers, 22 will be installed along the alignment. Of these eight will be in Mumbai, Thane, Virar and Boisar in Maharashtra, while 14 will be in Gujarat's Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Mahembadad and Ahmedabad, the release said.
The remaining six of the 28 seismometers, termed as inland seismometers, will be installed in earthquake-prone areas like Maharashtra's Khed, Ratnagiri, Latur and Pangri as well as Adesar and Old Bhuj in Gujarat, the release informed.
Seismometers will be installed in traction sub-stations and switching posts along the alignment, the release said, adding that these 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, the NHSRCL the release mentioned.
Areas along the high speed corridor, where earthquakes of magnitude greater than 5.5 have taken place in the past 100 years, were surveyed by Japanese experts, the release said.
After a detailed survey and soil suitability study through a micro tremor test, the above sites were selected, the release said.
(With PTI inputs)
