India's First Bullet Train Station In Mumbai Marks 15 Per Cent Work Completion, To Be Ready By 2027

On Monday (27 November), the National High-Speed Rail Corporation (NHRCL) announced the completion of approximately 15 per cent of the civil work for the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) Station, a crucial element of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Railcorridor.

BKC station is the starting point of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train route. The NHRCL is targeting the station's overall completion by 2027.

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project is 508 km long and is India's first high-speed rail corridor. Out of 508 km, 352 km lies in Gujarat (348 km), and Dadra and Nagar Haveli (4 km), and the remaining 156 km lies in Maharashtra.

The BKC station, designated as the only underground station on the high-speed rail corridor, is tailored for 16-coach bullet trains and features six platforms.

The excavation for the station has reached a depth of 32 metres. Currently, construction activities cover 4.8 hectares of land, and the platform is planned to be approximately 24 metres below ground level.

The station will comprise three floors, housing the platform, concourse, and service floor.

During peak times, up to 6,000 individuals may be required daily for the extensive excavation. This process involves the installation of 3,382 secant piles, ranging from 17 to 21 metres in depth, reinforced with ground anchors and wallers at intervals of 2.5 to 3.5 metres as the excavation advances.

In addition to station construction, the NHRCL emphasised its adherence to air quality guidelines in Mumbai.

The corporation highlighted efforts to prioritise environmental sustainability, employing strategies such as strategically placing mist guns, tarpaulin, and green nets to mitigate dust.

Furthermore, wheel wash facilities and air quality monitoring equipment have been installed at the site. Stringent safety measures, including mandatory personal protective equipment for workers, contribute to a safer and cleaner construction environment, as mentioned by an official to India Today.

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train is being funded with a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The total project cost is Rs 1.1 lakh crore, which is slated to increase more than Rs 1.5 lakh crore due to delay.