Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Canted Turnouts Enable High-Speed Track Switching on India’s Bullet Corridor
A turnout is a place where a railway track splits into different tracks.
Usually, trains must slow down a lot before changing tracks.
This is because a flat track switch can make passengers feel sudden sideways movements.
A canted turnout keeps the track slightly tilted, like a normal curve.
This tilt helps control the forces acting on a fast-moving train.
Special point machines move and lock the rails so the train follows the correct path.
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor is being built for speeds of up to 320 km/h.
The system is intended to make high-speed travel smoother, safer, and easier on the train and tracks.
Canted turnouts are being deployed on the 508-kilometre Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor.
The system preserves track banking, or cant, through the section where tracks diverge.
It is designed to let trains switch tracks smoothly at speeds up to 320 km/h.
Point machines move and lock rails into the selected position before trains pass.
The technology aims to reduce lateral forces, vibrations, passenger discomfort, and track stress.
- Who
- The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited is deploying the technology for high-speed trains.
- What
- Canted turnouts will allow trains to change tracks while maintaining track banking and controlling lateral forces.
- When
- The articles do not specify a deployment date.
- Where
- On the 508-kilometre Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor in India.
- Why
- To improve stability, passenger comfort, and safety while reducing vibrations and stress on trains and tracks at high speeds.
- Corridor
- Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor
- Length
- 508 kilometres
- Designed speed
- Up to 320 km/h
- Deploying organization
- National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited
- Technology
- Canted turnout
- Main function
- Maintains track banking through a track-switching section
- Operating components
- Movable rails controlled and secured by point machines