Bandra Kurla Bullet Train Station Nears Completion

25 Sep 2025 CW Team

The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has reported that excavation for Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) station on the 508 km Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor has reached 84 per cent completion. Work has been carried out to a depth of 32.5 metres, equivalent to a 10-storey building.

BKC is the only underground station on the corridor and will serve Mumbai passengers. The station will feature six platforms, each approximately 415 metres long, and three floors comprising the platform, concourse, and service levels. The platform is planned at a depth of 26 metres from the surface.

The station’s entry design draws inspiration from clouds and the crashing waves of the Arabian Sea. Two entry and exit points will ensure connectivity with Metro Line 2B and the MTNL building. Ample space has been allocated for passenger movement and amenities, with a dedicated skylight for natural lighting.

The corridor, India’s first high-speed rail line, will reduce travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad from eight hours to 2–3 hours. The project is being developed with Japanese technical and financial support, employing Shinkansen E5 Series technology. Trains are expected to operate at speeds of up to 320 km/h, utilising state-of-the-art elevated tracks, tunnels, and viaducts.

The Ministry of Railways has not yet announced the final date for the completion or operationalisation of the project, following previous missed deadlines.

Technology

24 Nov 2025

Buildroid AI Raises USD 2 Million to Launch Construction Robots

Buildroid AI has emerged from stealth with USD 2 million in pre-seed funding led by Tim Draper, marking the launch of its first AI-driven block-laying robot, unveiled at the Big Five Construction Conference in Dubai. The initiative targets productivity challenges in the UAE construction sector, which is projected to grow 5.2 per cent in 2025 and reach USD 130 billion by 2029.Founded by Slava Solonitsyn, a YC alumnus and former founder of Mighty Buildings, and Anton Glance, founder of Glance Clock, Buildroid initially aims to transform partition wall-building before scaling to wider application..

Western Corridor Launches Fastest Route to Walvis Bay Port

Zambia has commenced construction on the Western Corridor Transformation Project, a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) initiative led by Western Corridor Limited (WCL), marking the launch of the fastest trade route from Zambia to Walvis Bay Port in Namibia. The groundbreaking ceremony in Kasempa was officiated by the President of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, with senior government officials, private sector partners, and community representatives in attendance.Developed through an SPV incorporated by BeefCo Limited and First Quantum Minerals (FQM) Limited, WCL is upgrading the existing gravel a..

India Ranks 2nd in APAC Private Credit Fundraising: Knight Frank

India has emerged as the second-largest real estate private credit market in Asia-Pacific, contributing 36 per cent of regional fundraising between 2020 and 2024, according to Knight Frank’s Horizon Report: The Rise of Real Estate Credit in Asia-Pacific – Bridging the Gap. Private credit assets under management in India have risen from USD 0.7 billion in 2010 to USD 17.8 billion in 2023, supported by regulatory reforms, diversified funding structures, and sustained demand for flexible financing. India is expected to contribute 20–25 per cent of the region’s projected USD 90–110 billi..