Three Workers Dead in Structural Collapse at Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Site
Three workers tragically lost their lives on Tuesday evening after a temporary structure collapsed at a construction site on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor.
The incident occurred around 4 p.m. at Vasad village near the Mahi River in Gujarat’s Anand district.
Details of the Accident
Officials from the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) reported that a temporary steel and concrete structure used in the construction of a well foundation suddenly gave way, trapping four workers beneath heavy debris. Immediate rescue operations were launched, with cranes and excavators mobilized on-site to clear the wreckage. Local authorities, along with the state administration, police, and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), assisted in the rescue efforts.
Of the four trapped workers, two died at the scene, a third succumbed to injuries at the hospital, and the fourth is currently receiving medical treatment. NHSRCL has extended an ex-gratia payment of ₹20 lakh to the families of the deceased workers.
Preliminary Findings and Investigation
According to NHSRCL’s statement, the well foundation was being constructed to a target depth of 610 meters, with the current progress at 582 meters. The temporary structure supporting 2.5-ton concrete blocks, which were stabilized by high-tensile strands, collapsed when the strands snapped. NHSRCL has initiated a detailed technical investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Ongoing Progress on Bullet Train Corridor
Earlier this week, NHSRCL announced the completion of nine river bridges between Vapi and Surat stations as part of the 508-kilometer Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor. So far, 12 of the 20 planned river bridges in Gujarat have been completed. The corridor, spanning 352 kilometers in Gujarat and 156 kilometers in Maharashtra, will include 12 stations, with stops in major cities such as Mumbai, Thane, Surat, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad.
The high-speed rail project, a flagship infrastructure venture, aims to revolutionize transportation between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, but safety concerns are now under scrutiny following this tragic incident.
