In a significant engineering achievement, the under-construction Metro Line 6 between Ram Mandir and Jogeshwari saw a 42-metre steel composite span successfully launched over active Western Railway tracks in the early hours of Sunday. The operation, carried out under strict safety protocols, marks a critical step forward for the project.
Engineering Feat Over Live Tracks
Engineers constructed a critical pier in a highly constrained section between the up-through and down-through railway lines, with trains continuing to operate. Work was permitted only during limited night windows to ensure safety. A major night block was imposed by Western Railway between Ram Mandir and Jogeshwari to facilitate the girder launch.
Massive Machinery and Personnel Deployed
The operation involved heavy equipment, including a 600-ton crane, two 500-ton cranes, standby cranes, hydras, JCBs, a material lifter, and tower wagons. A three-hour traffic and overhead equipment restriction on the 6th line was implemented, alongside a 10-hour block for crane stabling that continued until Sunday morning. Approximately 110 personnel, comprising railway staff and contractor teams, coordinated the execution.
Project Progress and Coordination
Officials confirmed that nearly 88% of civil work on the 14.5-kilometer Metro Line 6, which includes 13 stations and a depot at Kanjurmarg, has been completed. The entire operation was executed through close collaboration between the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and Western Railway, ensuring safe execution over the active suburban rail network.
