{
  "id": 19080479,
  "title": "Stronger concrete needed to fix ‘basic mistake’ of defective MTR station columns: experts",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/stronger-concrete-needed-to-fix-basic-mistake-of-defective-mtr-19080479",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-09T03:14:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3373734/stronger-concrete-needed-fix-basic-mistake-defective-mtr-station-columns-experts"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Experts have stated that higher-strength concrete is required to repair the construction of approximately 30 defective columns at the Tung Chung West MTR station. This issue arose as the concrete failed to reach the upper ceiling, leaving steel reinforcement bars exposed. Construction sector leader Aaron Bok Kwok-ming emphasized that the filling material used must be at least as strong as the originally designed concrete. He also criticized the contractor for this \"basic mistake\" and for not reporting the incomplete work to the MTR Corporation. Chau Sze-kit, chairman of the Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union, suggested the same course of action. Despite the potential risks, the substandard columns do not pose a structural threat since temporary supports for the slabs remain in place. The MTR Corporation has ordered the main contractor, Bouygues-Dragages Joint Venture, to halt the remedial works, with the company bearing all related costs. The Highways Department is awaiting a detailed report from the MTR within two weeks, while the Tung Chung line extension's completion date is still set for 2029.",
  "summary": "Hong Kong’s railway operator can use high-strength concrete to rectify the structure of dozens of defective columns at a station under construction, an engineer and a construction sector leader have said, describing the shoddy work as a “basic mistake”. Their remarks came after the Buildings Department revealed on Saturday that about 30 columns at the Tung Chung West MTR station were defective…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}