In which of the following cities India’s first 3D printed post office has been inaugurated recently ?
- (1)Bengaluru
- (2)Kolkata
- (3)New Delhi
- (4)Mumbai
Answer
Why
Correct — option (1), Bengaluru.
India's first 3D-printed post office building was opened at Cambridge Layout in Bengaluru on 18 August 2023. PIB Bengaluru reported that Union Minister for Railways, Communications and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually inaugurated it that day, released a special cover on the building and unveiled a replica of it.
A PIB release of 17 August 2023 gave the details: a built-up area of 1021 square feet, technological guidance from IIT Madras to the Department of Posts, and construction completed in 45 days, against about six to eight months by the conventional method.
On 18 August 2023 Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted: "Every Indian would be proud to see India's first 3D printed Post Office at Cambridge Layout, Bengaluru."
The idea to remember: India's first 3D-printed post office stands at Cambridge Layout, Bengaluru, opened on 18 August 2023.
Why the others are wrong
- (2)Kolkata — Kolkata was not the site. PIB's release of 17 August 2023 placed the building under the Karnataka Circle of the Department of Posts, at the Cambridge Layout site in Bengaluru.
The Minister's inauguration on 18 August 2023 and the Prime Minister's post that day both name Cambridge Layout, Bengaluru.
- (3)New Delhi — New Delhi is the seat of the Union Ministry of Communications, but the 3D-printed post office was not built there.
PIB Bengaluru reported that Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually inaugurated the building in Bengaluru on 18 August 2023, and that it was constructed with technical know-how from IIT Madras and L&T.
- (4)Mumbai — Mumbai was not the venue. The post office stands at Cambridge Layout, Bengaluru, where it was opened on 18 August 2023.
L&T, which PIB names alongside IIT Madras for the technical know-how, has its headquarters in Mumbai, but the building itself was constructed at the Cambridge Layout site in Bengaluru.
Concept
3D concrete printing builds a structure without conventional brick-by-brick work. PIB described it as "a fully automated building technology where a robotic printer deposits the concrete layer by layer as per the approved design".
A special grade of concrete that hardens quickly is used so that each layer bonds with the one below.
PIB presented the time and cost saving as the case for the method: 45 days for this building, against about six to eight months for conventional construction.
RPSC's 2023 syllabus lists "Persons, Places and Institutions in News." under Current Affairs, and "Development of Science and Technology with special reference to Rajasthan." under Science & Technology.
The project drew attention while it was being built. On 12 April 2023 the Prime Minister appreciated the use of 3D printing technology in the construction of a post office in Bengaluru, sharing a post by Ashwini Vaishnaw.
India Post is run by the Department of Posts under the Ministry of Communications, and the Bengaluru building belongs to its Karnataka Circle.
Key facts
- India's first 3D-printed post office building is at Cambridge Layout, Bengaluru, under the Karnataka Circle of the Department of Posts.
- It was opened on 18 August 2023, when Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated it virtually and released a special cover.
- Built-up area: 1021 square feet; built in 45 days, against about six to eight months by conventional methods (PIB, 17 August 2023).
- IIT Madras gave technological guidance; PIB's 18 August report names IIT Madras and L&T for the technical know-how.
- On 12 April 2023 the Prime Minister appreciated the use of 3D printing technology in building the post office.
Sources: PIB Bengaluru (17 and 18 August 2023) and the Prime Minister's Office (12 April and 18 August 2023).
Study next
Common traps
- Picking New Delhi because the Ministry of Communications is there. The building is at Cambridge Layout, Bengaluru.
- Crediting the Prime Minister with the inauguration. PIB reports that Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated it; the Prime Minister praised it in a post.
- Mixing up the two time figures. PIB gives 45 days for this building and about six to eight months for conventional construction.
A question can ask in which city a first-of-its-kind public building was opened, or which institution gave technical guidance for it.
A question can also ask about the technology behind it, such as 3D concrete printing.
Related PYQs
Where was the India – Norway business round table held on 8th December, 2024 ?
- (1) Jaipur
- (2) New Delhi
- (3) Chennai
- (4) Mumbai
Answer(4)
Same task, the Indian city where a named event took place. That question asks where the India – Norway business round table was held on 8 December 2024 (RPSC's key: Mumbai); this one asks in which city India's first 3D-printed post office was inaugurated.
Practice
- practice — not a real PYQ
Which institution provided technological guidance to the Department of Posts for India's first 3D-printed post office building, opened in Bengaluru in August 2023?
- (a)IIT Madras
- (b)IIT Bombay
- (c)IIT Delhi
- (d)IIT Kharagpur
Answer(1) — PIB's release of 17 August 2023 says IIT Madras provided technological guidance to the Department of Posts. Options (2), (3) and (4) are not named in the releases. - practice — not a real PYQ
In the 3D concrete printing used for the post office at Cambridge Layout, Bengaluru, the structure is built by
- (a)assembling precast wall panels made in a factory
- (b)a robotic printer depositing concrete layer by layer as per the approved design
- (c)laying fired clay bricks in cement mortar
- (d)welding together prefabricated steel frames
Answer(2) — PIB describes 3D concrete printing as a fully automated technology in which a robotic printer deposits concrete layer by layer as per the approved design. Options (1), (3) and (4) describe other construction methods.