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The construction of Mumbai's underground Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) station for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor has reached a significant milestone. The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) announced the completion of the first concrete base slab, marking the start of major construction at the site. This slab is located 32 meters below ground, equivalent to the depth of a 10-story building, showcasing the technical complexity of the project.
The BKC station will feature three levels, including a concourse, a service floor, and a train platform 24 meters below ground. It will have six platforms, each 415 meters long, designed to accommodate the 16-coach bullet trains that will run on the corridor. The station will also connect seamlessly with Mumbai's transport network, offering two entry and exit points that link to Metro Line 2B and the MTNL building.
The NHSRCL reported that 52% of the excavation for the station has been completed, involving the removal of 18.7 lakh cubic meters of earth. Advanced equipment and engineering techniques are being used to ensure safety and precision during construction. Vivek Kumar Gupta, Managing Director of NHSRCL, highlighted the completion of the first slab as a major step forward in the project.
The financial investment in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor is significant, with an estimated cost of ₹1.08 lakh crore. The project is funded through contributions of ₹10,000 crore from the Indian government and ₹5,000 crore each from the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. A major portion of the funding comes from a loan from Japan at a low interest rate of 0.1%, reflecting international support for the initiative.
The BKC station is the only underground station along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor, adding to its unique engineering challenges. A total of 69 slabs will be cast to complete the station. The first slab, completed on November 30, 2024, measures 3.5 meters in height, 30 meters in length, and 20 meters in thickness. This achievement lays the foundation for the remaining construction phases.
With its completion, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor is expected to revolutionize travel between the two cities, providing faster and more efficient connectivity. The BKC station's progress reflects the meticulous planning, advanced engineering, and international collaboration driving this ambitious project.
This milestone is not just a step toward completing the corridor but a significant advancement in modernizing India's transportation system. The project holds the promise of transforming urban travel and boosting the nation's infrastructure development.
