Three workers killed after concrete blocks collapse on bullet train corridor site in Gujarat

Ahmedabad: Three workers were killed while another was rescued after a concrete structure collapsed at the construction site on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor project at Rajupura village in Anand district, about 90 km from Ahmedabad. 

Officials said that the incident occurred on Tuesday evening, when according to National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), which is executing the ambitious project, a temporary structure of steel and concrete blocks being used for well foundation work fell down on which the concrete blocks had been placed. 

The site is close to Mahi river. Anand district police had initially said that part of an under-construction bridge had collapsed which trapped four workers. Police said three workers were killed while another was being treated at hospital, where his condition is said to be critical.

Anand fire officer Dharmesh Gor told reporters that two workers died on the spot who had been trapped beneath the concrete blocks. The third victim died at the hospital. Officials said that rescue teams were using cranes and excavators to remove the debris. As the news spread, a large number of locals also reached the spot. 

Earlier in August, one labourer was crushed to death while eight suffered injuries after part of a construction crane collapsed at the site of the high speed train corridor in Karjan taluka of Vadodara district. The part of the girder launcher machine fell from the under construction elevated rail corridor under which a worker was crushed to death. 

The 508-km-long high speed rail project is being constructed by L&T. The ambitious project, backed by Japan, is expected to reduce the travel time between Ahmedabad and Mumbai. The project is said to be connecting the two cities with a top speed of 320 km/h.