Delhi Metro builds special bridge over VIP route

Wednesday , Jul 08, 2009
source:http://www.thaindian.com

The Delhi Metro is building a special steel structure for putting up a bridge at Dhaula Kuan, one of the busiest intersections in the capital that is also a VIP route, for the Airport Express Line to ensure traffic is not disrupted. The Dhaula Kuan intersection in south Delhi has eight roads. The busy Ring Road, the National Highway 8, Ridge Road and Sardar Patel Marg intersect at Dhaula Kuan, one of the highest density traffic corridors.

Over 100,000 vehicles pass through the circuit daily, according to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation officials.

And despite the heavy volume of traffic, the construction work on the Metro line has been going on without any big traffic jam near the intersection.

And what made that possible?

"We have used innovative engineering technology by setting up temporary steel structures to construct the (Metro) bridge and ensure that traffic flow is not disrupted in the area," Delhi Metro Rail Corporation spokesperson Anuj Dayal said.

Dayal said the construction was "especially tricky".

The eight roads on the circuit are usually busy with traffic and "this is also a VIP route - from where the president, prime minister and other dignitaries travel to and from the airport pass. (The road) could not be blocked under any circumstance", Dayal told IANS.

The 542-metre-long bridge, with 15 pillars for support, will also cross a railway track and one of the pillars being built will be the tallest so far at 20 metres.

To ensure safety, nets have been put up around the bridge and crash barriers for vehicles have been installed on the road.

"Minimum road space has been used during construction, and public-address systems have also been arranged to guide drivers, and safe passage for pedestrians," a DMRC statement said.

The construction near the Dhaula Kuan intersection is likely to be completed by October while the Airport Express link is likely to be opened to public by September next year.

The link would take commuters from the New Delhi Railway Station to the Indira Gandhi International Airport in 18 minutes, officials said.