India’s first 3D printed post office

Powered by COBOD's BOD2 3D construction printer, this achievement underscores the immense potential of 3D printing technology in revolutionising the construction landscape.

India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, shared the achievement on his social media, stating: "Every Indian would be proud to see India's first 3D printed Post Office at Cambridge Layout, Bengaluru. A testament to our nation's innovation and progress, it also embodies the spirit of a self-reliant India. Compliments to those who have worked hard in ensuring the Post Office's completion."

This recognition from the nation's highest authority emphasises the project's significance in advancing India's technological expertise.

The project already had a high profile, as Union Railways and Communication Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in April sparked excitement by highlighting the project on social media. The post office was inaugurated last week by Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, underlining the Indian government's commitment to embracing cutting-edge technologies for national development.

Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw captured the essence of the project, stating: "Bengaluru always presents a new picture of India. The new picture that you saw today in terms of this 3D printed post office building, that's the spirit of India today. That's the spirit with which our country is progressing today."

The post office spans a floor area of 1,021 square feet (94.9 m²), and according to L&T is estimated to have cost 2,6 million rupees ($31,200), about 40% lower than what the cost would have been if conventional construction had been used. In addition, L&T, who also 3D printed the first two-story building in India, executed the project in record time.

George Abraham, Head of Operations (South and East) at L&T, highlighted the execution speed in his inaugural speech: "It is because of the robotic intervention that involves pre-embedded designs, that we were able to complete the entire construction activity in a period of 43 days as compared to about 8 months taken by the conventional method."

Simon Klint Bergh, COBOD's Co-Founder and Head of APAC, commented on the achievement of L&T: "Utilising the full form-freedom of 3D Construction Printing with this masterpiece project, Larsen and Toubro is perfectly showing how the technology is well implemented. We're honoured to collaborate with innovators who not only envision the future but actively shape it. I cannot wait to see more great projects coming from Larsen & Toubro in the near future!"