Despite several constraints induced by the second wave of the Covid – 19 pandemic in the last few months, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) continued with the construction work of its Phase 4 corridors and achieved a few important construction landmarks as well.
- Prior to the imposition of lockdown in April, 2021, the number of workers at DMRC’s sites exceeded the 4,000 mark.
- However, after the lockdown many workers decided to leave their sites for their native places.
- In addition, many workers who had left earlier for the Holi festival did not return either.
- This led to a gradual decrease in the workforce to about 2,500.
- DMRC not only took care of the workers who stayed back with medical care, accommodation etc. but also achieved some important landmarks in its Phase 4 construction work. During this period, all Covid related guidelines given by the government from time to time were also stringently followed.
- After the lifting of Covid related restrictions, now there is a gradual increase in the manpower available at DMRC’s sites.
Tunneling Progress:
- The tunneling work between Janakpuri West and Krishna Park Extension on the Janakpuri West – RK Ashram Marg corridor for DMRC’s first underground section of Phase 4 achieved many important targets during this period.
- During these months, DMRC completed the tunneling of 500 metres of one of the 2.8 kilometre long twin tunnels.
- Delhi Metro has also completed casting of over 50% of tunnel segments in the casting yard.
- The first of the twin tunnels on this stretch is expected to be completed by September later this year.
Erection of T-girders:
- On the same stretch, DMRC achieved another major milestone by erecting Phase 4’s first ever T-girder at Mukarba Chowk last month.
- These T-girders are pre-tensioned and are cast at the casting yard in Mundka.
- After casting, these girders are brought to the site and launched with the help of two mammoth 400 MT capacity cranes.
- The length of each girder is 37 metres and weight is around 90 MT.
- The piers over which the first girder was erected is about 18 meters from ground level.
- In addition, load testing of the launcher has been done at Majlis Park and launching of the u-girder will start with the launcher on the same stretch from Majlis Park to Mukarba Chowk.
Progress of the other Phase-4 corridors:
- On the Majlis Park – Maujpur corridor as well, steady progress was made despite the manpower related constraints.
- Casting of U-Girders, T-Girders, erection of U-Girders, Pier Caps, construction of piers at the station as well as viaduct locations were carried on.
- Work on Delhi Metro’s 5th bridge over the river Yamuna is also going on as part of this corridor near the Signature Bridge.
- This corridor is significant as its completion will complete the entire ring of connectivity on the Pink Line.
- On the Tughalakabad – Aerocity corridor, the casting yard at Panchsheel Park was prepared for casting with installation of all necessary equipment such as the erection of gantry cranes.
- The casting work of u-girders and piles was also continued.
- The Aerocity – Tughlakabad Metro corridor, colour coded silver will connect the Kashmere Gate – Raja Nahar Singh Violet Line with the Airport Express Line.
Tenders Update:
- In April and May, 2021, four major civil tenders of DMRC Phase 4’s underground sections were also floated.
- These are all being funded by the loan received through JICA. While three tenders are from the Aerocity – Tughalakabad corridor, one is from the Janakpuri West – RK Ashram Marg corridor.
- All the tenders are at different stages of processing now.
Additional Details:
- With improvement in the Covid – 19 scenario in the country, it is expected that construction work will gain further pace in the days ahead.
- Already multiple vaccination camps have been organized at the sites for the workers and more are expected to follow.
- A campaign to raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination among workers has also been conducted.
- DMRC is currently engaged in construction of 65 kilometres of new lines across three priority corridors as part of its Phase 4 expansion.
- These corridors are expected to be completed by 2025.
- However, given the fact that the Covid scenario is still evolving, the completion targets shall be reviewed accordingly.
Source: DMRC-Press Release
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