BALLASTLESS TRACKS

A REPORT ON

KOLKATA METRO

INTRODUCTION
Ballast has been an integral part of railway track and an economical
medium providing an elastic support to it for many years.
Though the material is locally available, But ballasted track calls for
frequent maintenance attention, and periodical screening. It causes dust
pollution hence efforts are always being made in the search of more
reliable and less polluting substitute to conventional type of ballast
system specially in high speed lines.
In BALLAST LESS TRACKS the ballast is substituted by support layer of
concrete slabs. Though they will be more expensive, they will be most
cost effective for such lines.

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS
The Japanese tried some form of BLT (ballast-less track) in one of their
subways in 1947.
In about same period, London Transport used in their underground
sections a design by embedding wooden sleepers at ends in a concrete
bed, leaving the space between filled with ballast.
At the same time different forms of such tracks were being tried by a
number of other railway systems for their subways both on the main
lines in tunnels and Metro lines.
Switzerland and Germany were the forerunners in use of BLT on main
line and Moscow for their (Metros) subways on a large scale.

DISADVANTAGES OF BALLASTED
TRACKS
Over time the ballast bed becomes
less permeable due to contamination,
grinding-down of the ballast and
transfer of fine particles from the sub
grade.
It causes dust pollution.
Irregular Settlement.
Track maintenance after 30-60 million
tonnes after track has settled about
20 mm.
Complete ballast renewal after 30
years.
Quarrying (Granite) may be banned
in future.

ADVANTAGES OF BALLAST-LESS
TRACKS
Release of dust from the ballast into the environment can be eliminated.
During Monsoon season no tampering is required to maintain the track
tolerance.
Less vibration resulting more passenger comfort.
Reduced height.
No problems with flying ballast stones at high speed.

Lower maintenance requirement

and hence higher availability.

Increased service life of track

structure, 40 to 50 years.
Higher resistance to lateral and
longitudinal forces permitting
steeper grade.
High lateral track resistance
which allows future increase of
speed.
Stable Track geometry.

DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA
Introduction of BLT in India started decades back, first by Calcutta Metro
followed by Konkan Railway, Chennai Metro and Delhi Metro.
The scope for development of the system is very large due to future
development planned for Mumbai Metro, Bangalore Metro and
introduction of high speed Routes.
Technological innovation is therefore a must to accomplish the task of
above mentioned Metro Systems.

USE OF BLT SYSTEM IN INDIAKOLKATA METRO

Kolkata Metro, India's first, became a reality on October 24,1984 with
the commissioning of commercial service covering a distance of 3.40 km
from Esplanade to Bhowanipur.
Thereafter some more sections were opened at different times and
finally the entire stretch from Dum Dum to Tollygunj became operational
from September 27, 1995.

It took about eleven years to start first and last section of Kolkata
Metro.

Almost entire section of Metro from Dum Dum to Tollygunj is

underground.

Ballast-less track has been provided in this entire section.

Existing PSC sleepers are embedded into concrete bed by

grouting.

Rubber pads are provided below PSC sleepers.

Polythene foam used around the sleepers.

DRAWBACKS & CONCLUSION

Relatively higher cost of construction.
Low noise absorption.
For new main corridors of high speed and dense traffic the BLT system is a prime
requirement.
Economy in operation.
Durability and long life of components.
Extended Service life and low maintenance.
In order to satisfy various conditions mentioned, the specific attributes of good
ballast-less track for choice in Indian conditions should be with Proven design .
having been in service for a number of years.
vibration control within practicable limits.
So as we are looking forward to build the bullet tracks in India, use of this technology
can be a milestone in this fast moving lifestyle of the urban India.