A fire broke out in the early hours of Saturday at the under-construction Sabarmati bullet train station in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The incident, which occurred around 6:30 am, caused concern among officials and workers on the site. However, no casualties or injuries have been reported, according to the fire department.
An official from the fire brigade stated that a total of 13 fire tenders were deployed to the location to control the blaze. The firefighting teams worked diligently, and the fire was successfully brought under control within a few hours.
In a statement issued by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), the organization overseeing the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, it was clarified that the fire originated from the roof shuttering at one section of the station’s construction site. The preliminary investigation suggests that welding sparks during temporary shuttering work may have been the cause of the fire.
“The fire broke out on the roof shuttering at one part of the construction site. Prima facie, it appears that welding sparks during temporary shuttering work could have triggered the incident. Thankfully, no injuries or casualties have been reported,” NHSRCL stated in its official release.
The NHSRCL further assured that its officials are closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary steps to assess and address any damage caused by the fire. They also emphasized that safety measures at the construction site are being reviewed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Sabarmati station is an integral part of the ambitious 508-kilometer Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project. This high-speed rail project, which aims to revolutionize transportation in India, covers a significant stretch across the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. The route includes 12 planned stations: Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand/Nadiad, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati.
Of the total distance, 352 kilometers fall within Gujarat, while 156 kilometers are in Maharashtra. The Sabarmati station, currently under construction, is expected to serve as a crucial hub for high-speed rail connectivity, boosting both economic growth and regional development.
Although the exact extent of the damage caused by the fire is yet to be determined, NHSRCL officials have assured that the incident will not significantly delay the project’s timeline. They reiterated their commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards and ensuring the seamless progress of construction activities.
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, India’s first high-speed rail corridor, is being developed with technical and financial assistance from Japan. Once completed, the rail network will significantly reduce travel time between the two cities, offering a modern and efficient mode of transportation for passengers.
As of now, fire department officials and NHSRCL representatives are continuing their investigations to ascertain the exact cause of the fire. Meanwhile, the incident has sparked discussions about safety protocols and precautionary measures at large-scale infrastructure project sites, particularly those involving advanced construction techniques.
