In a significant setback for the high-profile bullet train project, expensive surveying equipment valued at approximately Rs 2 lakh was stolen from a project-linked office at Sabarmati railway station in Ahmedabad. The Sabarmati Railway Police have registered a case and are investigating the theft reported over the weekend.
Discovery of the Theft
The incident came to light on January 2, when a senior surveyor visited the office to collect gear required for fieldwork. Upon opening the equipment box, he discovered that several critical components of a Total Station surveying machine were missing. The stolen items included a mini prism with pole, a reflector pole, a battery charger, two batteries, and a round prism.
According to the police complaint, filed on Saturday evening by a survey manager associated with the project, the equipment was part of a Total Station machine purchased in 2023. This high-precision instrument is essential for measurement work at the bullet train project site.
Timeline and Immediate Response
The machine was last used on the night of January 1 and was securely stored inside the office after the premises were locked. The theft was discovered the following afternoon. Immediately, project staff conducted a thorough search in and around the office and questioned personnel, but the costly equipment could not be located.
The complainant suspects that an unidentified person broke open the office lock and committed the theft between the night of January 1 and the afternoon of January 2. This narrow window suggests a targeted operation.
Investigation Underway
The Sabarmati Railway Police have officially registered a case of theft against an unknown person and have launched a detailed investigation. The loss of this specialized equipment is expected to cause disruptions in the survey work critical for the progress of the ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor.
This incident raises concerns about the security of valuable assets at infrastructure project sites. Authorities are now reviewing security protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future, as the investigation continues to identify the culprits.
