Kolkata: After a 15-month wait, Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) has successfully completed the launching of the entire 28-meter concrete deck between piers 317 and 318 of the Orange Line. This marks a significant milestone in the first phase of lifting concrete segments to cover the viaduct gap atop Chingrighata. The Orange Line, also known as the New Garia-Airport corridor, is a 32-kilometer metro route being implemented by RVNL.
Traffic Management and Police Approval
RVNL had been lobbying for police permission to lift concrete slabs to bridge the gap at Chingrighata. Traffic blocks were finally enforced from 8 pm on Friday for a continuous 60-hour period, lasting until 8 pm on Monday. In the first phase, a 28-meter viaduct gap between piers 317 and 318 was addressed. Another 32 meters of concrete will be placed between piers 318 and 319 next weekend as part of Phase II work atop the busy intersection on the Bypass.
Work Commencement and Challenges
Work began at 7:55 pm on Friday after the long-awaited police nod, following multiple prods from the high court and the Supreme Court. RVNL officials, led by Chief Project Manager Vipin Kumar (also officiating executive director), conducted a puja to mark the occasion. However, the Ultadanga-bound flank could not be freed until 8:23 pm. By then, the 500-metric-ton girder-launcher had moved right next to the Chingrighata crossing.
On Friday evening, police faced difficulties controlling the heavy flow of vehicles. The tail of the jam for Ultadanga-bound traffic extended to Park Circus Maidan. Officials noted that the new 500-meter road built by RVNL for traffic diversion along Majherpara opposite Captain Bheri could only accommodate two lanes of cars, whereas the closed flank had four lanes.
Progress of Lifting Operations
By Saturday morning, four out of the ten segments comprising the 28-meter girder (concrete deck) had been lifted, covering 11 meters. By 8 pm, all ten segments were lifted: eight weighing 60 tonnes each and two weighing 40 tonnes each. However, the finishing work, which will continue until late Sunday night, is complex. It involves aligning all ten concrete pieces, tying them with cables, applying glue, allowing the glue to harden, and other construction requirements.
Safety and Continuous Block Benefits
Officials expressed satisfaction that a continuous day-and-night block from Friday 8 pm to Monday 8 am was granted. 'This has ensured safety and security of the viaduct construction and of cars and pedestrians as well,' an official said. Earlier, Kolkata Police had only agreed to six-night blocks over two weekends. 'That would have been a tremendous construction hazard,' the official added.
On Thursday, days after the new government took over, RVNL managed to convince the state by furnishing a report from IIT-Guwahati, reiterating the need for a continuous traffic block to safeguard the construction and prevent injuries when the night-long block ended and the road reopened.
