Kolkata: In a significant development for the Orange Line metro project, the Bidhannagar Police has granted Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) permission to bridge a 120-meter viaduct gap on VIP Road. This approval comes shortly after the police allowed traffic blocks at Chingrighata crossing for the same project.
Permission Details
On May 13, the Bidhannagar Police issued an order allowing RVNL to lift and place a launcher to construct the viaduct between piers 826 and 832 near Haj House at Kaikhali. The seven pillars for this stretch have been standing for some time. The no-objection certification (NOC) covers both traffic diversion and the erection of six concrete spans. Once the work is completed in four months, a continuous viaduct will connect the upcoming VIP Road station to the ramp on VIP Road.
Technical Aspects
Sources indicate that it will take about a month to lift the launcher, which weighs approximately 500 metric tonnes, and position it between piers 833 and 835. After the launcher is in place, concrete segments weighing between 22 and 34 tonnes will be lifted. Traffic diversions will be enforced from 11 pm to 5 am during this period, as specified in the order issued by the Deputy Commissioner (Traffic) of Bidhannagar Police.
Progress on Orange Line
The Orange Line, a 32-kilometer corridor from New Garia to the airport, has recently seen a boost. The police clamped a traffic block at Chingrighata crossing to bridge the last 366-meter viaduct gap in the Beleghata-Sector V section. Now, with the NOC for the VIP Road stretch, another critical gap is being addressed.
Traffic Management
Currently, traffic flow is not affected. The airport-bound flank had been widened earlier to accommodate the space needed for barricading and constructing portal piers (dual-legged structures designed for curves). Seven piers, including three portal pillars, have been erected in this 120-meter stretch. For months, the three portal piers (828, 829, and 830) remained partially completed due to pending permissions from the police, even as traffic trials were conducted.
Contractor Challenges
Afcons, the contractor for the Orange Line's terminal 3.5-kilometer segment from City Centre II in New Town to the airport, has missed three deadlines due to the lack of traffic blocks on VIP Road. Their package includes two elevated metro stations at Chinar Park and VIP Road, plus the final 850-meter underground section to the airport. The mostly elevated Orange Line goes underground 850 meters before the airport, connected by a ramp that is being constructed after Kaikhali.
With these permissions, the Orange Line metro project is steadily moving towards completion, promising improved connectivity for Kolkata's eastern suburbs and the airport.
