12 Kolkata: The work to bridge the final 360m viaduct gap for the 8km Ruby-Sector V section of the Orange Line has halted next to Chingrighata crossing. Consequently, RVNL is likely to miss the April deadline (revised from Mar 2025) to reach the Sector V interface with the East-West Metro (Green line). The mandatory safety inspection due in March has also been put on hold because the NOC for girder-launching across the Chingrighata intersection is unavailable.
RVNL, implementing the 29km New Garia-Airport corridor (Orange Line), had targeted Mar 2025 to open Phase II beyond Ruby. The deadline was subsequently revised to April 2025. However, with the 500 tonne girder-launcher stuck beside Chingrighata crossing and cops withholding approval, railway officials are now uncertain about Phase II. Tracks have been laid in most of the section beyond Ruby, save Chingrighata.
Girder-launching for a bridge or Metro viaduct (the elevated concrete supporting tracks) uses machinery (weighing no less than 400 tonne) to lift heavy precast segments and position them sequentially for a continuous structure. For safety considerations, RVNL has sought night traffic blocks while launching 28m and 34m spans between piers 317 and 319. The overnight blocks (10pm to 7am) shall be split into two five-night phases.
"Since Feb 2, RVNL officials are unsuccessfully requesting Kolkata Police's traffic department for clearance at Chingrighata," an official said. RVNL, as reported by TOI on Jan 28, has built an alternate road for traffic diversion during the blocks.
A senior traffic official said: "We have no objection to handing over the Chingrighata crossing, provided RVNL arranges proper traffic diversion." A railway official countered, "The police were consulted throughout — while building the new road or the girder-launching to build 1,130m viaduct beyond Metropolitan station to Chingrighata approach."