The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MahaMetro) recently installed the first composite steel girder at the busy Dhole Patil Chowk. The girder, installed at the beginning of Mangaldas Road, is one of eight that will be installed on the Civil Court-Ramwadi section of the Vanaz-Ramwadi Metro corridor.
The other seven girders will vary in length from 45 metres to 90 metres. MahaMetro said the longer girders will be installed at busy chowks and stretches to avoid traffic-related issues. “Segment installation will be done with ground supporting system at these spots, because it would require the closure of the road and the chowks for a month. This will not be possible because of some complications — high traffic density, limited road width or frequent movement of ambulances to and from nearby hospitals,” a MahaMetro official said.
The other girders will be installed at Jehangir chowk, Bund Garden Chowk, Parnakuti Chowk, Gunjan Talkies Chowk, Kalyaninagar Chowk, Ramwadi bypass and Hyatt Chowk. “We have successfully installed the first girder. Now, we have started preparations to install the other girders. Basic plans are being chalked out based on the location, available space and structure of the viaduct,” another official said.
To facilitate the installation of the first girder, MahaMetro had imposed traffic diversions around Dhole Patil Chowk. The diversions have been removed. This section of the Metro corridor passes via the RTO, Pune railway station, Jehangir Chowk, Dhole Patil Chowk, Bund Garden, Yerawada, Kalyaninagar and Ramwadi. The viaduct will cross the river at two spots. “We are ensuring minimum road closures and traffic diversions. For the safety of road users and to ensure free flow of traffic, the installation is being done at night. Advanced machinery and cranes are being used to finish the work fast. Vehicle users need to use alternate roads during closures,” the official said.