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🚉 Reimagining Ahmedabad Railway Station: My Internship Experience with DRA Infracon – DMRC JV



“Heritage and high-speed rail can coexist—if designed with vision and built with precision.”

This belief came to life during my recent internship with Dineshchandra R Agrawal Infracon Pvt. Ltd., where I had the privilege to observe and learn from the ground up as part of the team working on the Ahmedabad Railway Station Redevelopment Project, awarded under EPC mode by the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA).

🔍 Project Background

Located in the heart of Kalupur, Ahmedabad Junction is one of India’s busiest and oldest railway terminals. The RLDA has envisioned its transformation into a modern multimodal hub—a blend of efficiency, aesthetics, and history.

In November 2023, the DRA–DMRC Joint Venture emerged as the lowest bidder at ₹2383.59 Cr (7% below the ₹2563 Cr estimate). The project has a 3-year timeline and includes the redevelopment of the station and associated infrastructure, while respecting and incorporating heritage elements like the Jhulta Minar and Brick Minar.

📰 Source: The Metro Rail Guy


🏗️ Technical Highlights: What Makes This Project Unique?

1. Architecture with a Soul

  • Inspired by the Modhera Sun Temple, the new station design incorporates traditional motifs.

  • An open-air amphitheatre, modeled after the Adalaj Stepwell, adds cultural depth to commuter spaces.



2. Engineering Innovations

  • PEB roofing systems for wide-span halls

  • Use of M40 and above grade concrete, corrosion-resistant rebar, and modular construction techniques

  • Pile foundations with raft footings, designed based on extensive soil investigation reports

  • Extensive underground utilities, including stormwater and sewage lines, seamlessly integrated

3. BIM and Project Management Tools

  • BIM (Building Information Modeling) to visualize and coordinate structures

  • Primavera P6 and MS Project for time and resource management

  • Phased construction approach for operational continuity

4. Multimodal Integration

  • Direct linkages to Ahmedabad Metro, city buses, and pedestrian access

  • Coordination with Bullet Train Station (Package C7) being constructed by IRCON–DRA JV

  • Adequate provisions for parking, drop-off, and high footfall handling

5. Sustainability in Focus

  • Solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and energy-efficient lighting

  • Extensive green landscaping and public zones

  • Aiming for GRIHA or IGBC green certification

👷‍♂️ My Internship Contributions

Being on-site and engaging with experienced engineers helped me:

  • Understand site layout planning, utility rerouting, and structural sequencing

  • Review drawings, architectural elevations, and layout proposals

  • Observe real-time interface coordination with bullet train construction

  • Learn the documentation process for permissions, safety protocols, and heritage compliance

  • Understand how mega EPC projects are managed from planning to execution

✍️ Reflections

This internship wasn’t just about construction—it was about translating vision into reality. Watching senior engineers balance modern infrastructure demands with heritage sensitivity taught me how civil engineering is both an art and a science.

As I continue my journey in this field, I carry forward these insights and hope to contribute meaningfully to Bharat’s growth story. Whether it’s a bullet train or a stepwell-inspired plaza, engineering has the power to preserve, elevate, and transform.


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