Kolkata: Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) has started wrapping up work at Chingrighata after successfully launching the entire 28-meter concrete deck between two pillars, enabling the Ultadanga-bound flank to be handed over for traffic before 8 am on Monday.
Phase I Completion
After a 15-month wait, RVNL, which is implementing the New Garia-Airport corridor (Orange Line), completed lifting all 10 concrete segments that comprise the 28-meter viaduct between piers 317 and 318. This critical part of Phase I of the metro work atop the Chingrighata crossing was accomplished by Saturday night.
Between 7:55 pm on Friday and 8 pm on Saturday, RVNL placed four out of the 10 segments on the Ultadanga-bound flank of the crossing, covering 11 meters out of the targeted 28 meters. By 9:20 pm, all 10 segments—eight weighing 60 tonnes each and two weighing 40 tonnes each—were lifted. Subsequent work continued through Sunday night, including aligning all pieces, tying them with cables, applying glue, and using the stressing method to attach the segments. This was completed by 12:30 pm on Sunday, followed by four hours for the glue to harden.
“There was a complete and strong viaduct launching. The traffic block helped avoid any untoward incident with cars and pedestrians,” an official stated.
Phase II Work Schedule
Phase II work, which involves lifting a 32-meter concrete deck between piers 318 and 319, will commence next Friday at 8 pm. Traffic will not be allowed on the Garia-bound flank of Chingrighata crossing until 8 am the following Monday. For 60 hours, traffic will be diverted through a 500-meter road built by RVNL. Police are devising strategies to prevent the extensive snarls witnessed last Friday evening during a similar traffic block.
