Despite the Covid-19 challenges, Central Railway has launched two 61-meter open web girders for Nerul/Belapur – Uran Project between Jasai & JNPT operating a block of 3 hours recently. It is a step towards connecting Uran with Mumbai Suburban Network.
- These 61-meter open web girders were fabricated at Central Railway Engineering Workshop, Manmad, transported and assembled at the launching site.
- Each girder weight is 232 MT (220 MT girder + 12MT lifting beam, holding bracket etc.)
- The launching of girders is a complex job considering the line crossing with Panvel-Jasai-JNPT line which handles heavy container traffic and Dedicated Freight Corridor line is also under construction from JNPT to Panvel along the alignment.
- These girders were launched by 2 Crawler Road Cranes (1st crane= 600MT lifting capacity, 2nd crane = 500MT lifting capacity + 1 additional crane for emergency use of 750MT lifting capacity).
- To ensure safe lifting of girders, it was maintained verticality by a specially developed lifting frame.
- During lifting, rotational movement was monitored by three inclinometers manufactured for this bridge.
- Inclinometers were used for the first time. Besides, Railway’s own structural testing unit was deployed by the bridge organization of Central Railway to capture the launching stresses in critical members.
- Six stain gauge and two accelerometers were used for this and the launching was carried out without overstressing any members.
- Down track web girder was successfully launched on 3rd July 2021 and Up track web girder was launched on 12th Aug 2021 taking 03:00 hrs Traffic and Power block each on Jasai-JNPT line.
- With this launching, the progress of the Phase-II of this line is in advance stage.
- Background – Works Carried Out During Lockdown
- The major construction of this 4th corridor of Mumbai Suburban Corridor were superstructure work of Cover over Platform at Rajanpada station, foundation and sub-structure work at Nava-Sheva, Dronagiri and Uran stations, subway work at Uran, bridge foundation work, stressing and lowering of U-girder at bridge.
- The stretch of Kharkopar – Uran will have 5 stations, 2 major bridges, 46 minor bridges, 4 Road Under Bridges and 4 Road Over Bridges.
- All precautions are taken to ensure safety and health of the available labour.
- The project will help to accelerate the growth of Navi-Mumbai, by providing direct access between Uran town and Nhava-Sheva port and the newly developed area of Mumbai Metropolitan Region as well as Greater Mumbai.
Source: Central Railway-Press Release | Image Credit: Central Railway
