The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Tuesday achieved yet another major milestone by erecting the first ever U-Girder of Phase 4 on the Janakpuri West-RK Ashram Marg corridor.
The U-Girder, an important component of the elevated viaducts constructed for Metro corridors, was erected near the Kali Mata Temple between the upcoming Pushpanjali and Deepali Chowk Metro stations along the Outer Ring Road.
A senior DMRC official said that this is a standard span with twin U-Girders of 28 metres length each in one span and the total weight of one U-Girder is approximately 160 MT.
“This is a major milestone for DMRC, as despite several constraints due to the ongoing pandemic, this important component of the construction work could be started. The casting of the U-Girders was started at the designated casting yard in Mundka in June earlier this year,” he said.
Metro projects across the world are extensively using U-Girders, which saves time in construction besides ensuring better quality, he said, adding that after casting, these girders are brought to the site and launched with the help of high capacity cranes.
U-Girders are precast pre-tensioned, U-shaped girders on which track laying can be done immediately, he said.
“The casting work of these U-Girders also requires meticulous precision and planning. Absolute care has to be taken regarding the maintenance of all measurements and technical parameters during the casting process,” he added.
The 28.92 km long Janakpuri West - RK Ashram Marg corridor is an extension of Magenta Line and will come up with 22 stations. Construction work on this particular section had started in December last year.