RVNL seeks final traffic blocks at Chingrighata in Jan
Times of India | 27 December 2024
12 Kolkata: RVNL has sought traffic blocks at Chingrighata for one last time to facilitate Metro construction. The overnight blocks will be implemented between 10pm and 7am in two phases – for five days each in Jan-end. The railways PSU has commenced constructing a new road through which vehicles will be diverted while the ongoing girder-launching work for the Orange line reaches the crucial Chingrighata crossing.
The new thoroughfare -- 5.5m wide and 550m long – will link Captain Bheri and Chingrighata, passing via the Dhapa lockgate and below the Chingrighata flyover. Vehicles will be directed through this stretch when the night blocks are implemented in Jan, sources said. Both the flanks -- Ultadanga-bound and New Garia-bound – at Chingrighata crossing will be closed to traffic.
TOI reported on January 4 that after seven years of laborious struggle over site acquisition and some other impediments, Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL), implementing agency of most of the city's Metro projects, has finally started work to bridge the 568m gap at Chingrighata. The first girder span – between piers 310 and 311 -- opposite Caption Bheri on EM Bypass was launched on Tuesday night.
Girder-launching for a bridge or Metro viaduct (the elevated concrete or steel structure on which tracks are laid) involves machinery (weighing no less than 400MT) to lift heavy precast segments or concrete spans and position them sequentially to assemble a continuous structure. RVNL has informed the traffic authorities that the night blocks, spanning five nights in two phases, shall be a prerequisite for the Metro viaduct construction above the busy Chingrighata crossing. The traffic blocks may be in place in Jan when girder-launcher reaches the crossing to bridge piers 317, 318 and 319.
"RVNL has told the state administration that they would need night blocks – from 10pm to 7am – when the girder-launcher, weighing 450MT, nears the Chingrighata intersection. It is dangerous to launch the heavy spans with the (heavier yet) launcher with traffic movement below. Hence, RVNL has requested the traffic department for night blocks with extended duration. Customarily such blocks commence at 11pm or midnight and conclude at 6am," the official stated.
Metro Railway is pursuing a Mar 2025 deadline to complete the Orange line's Phase II (8km Ruby to Sector V). The corridor currently operates a truncated 5.4km from New Garia to Ruby crossing. It will eventually connect New Garia with airport, spanning 29km across EM Bypass, Salt Lake Bypass, New Town and VIP Road.
"Indeed, the corridor has now reached a milestone (Chingrighata), as work for constructing a viaduct to fill the 568m gap has finally commenced after seven years of negotiation between the agencies concerned," the official said. "Construction of the viaduct, which overlaps with the Chingrighata flyover, is exceptionally challenging," he added. Similar night-blocks were taken for girder-launching to fill the corridor's 125m gap at Metropolitan.
Box
One last traffic block for Metro work at Chingrighata
RVNL starts bridging Orange line's 568m gap at busy crossing
Has sought overnight blocks from 10pm to 7am in 2 phases
Traffic blocks may be implemented in Jan-end
RVNL has started building a new road for traffic diversion while girder-launching is on at Chingrighata crossing
5.5m wide, 550m long new road links Captain Bheri with Chingrighata via the Dhapa lockgate and Chingrighata flyover
Vehicles will move through new stretch during night traffic blocks
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