Metro’s steely resolve at station in Chhatarpur

Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010

Even as Delhi Metro's Gurgaon line will be flagged-off in June, the metro station at Chhatarpur — which an estimated 11,723 commuters will use by 2012 — will only open two months later. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is constructing a station building out of steel at this location as they faced land acquisition problems and were granted possession only in November last year. Over 600 tonnes of steel is being used to construct the columns and beams to save time. The station will be constructed in six months as against the normal three-year duration.

This is the first Metro station to be built in this manner. DMRC officials said that even as the basic frame of the station building will be created, the rest of the structures will take more time. The building is being created top-down so that the tracks can be laid and other services like signalling, electrification, roof and electrification works can be started first to make the line operational.

The construction of the rest of the viaduct on either sides of the station plot was completed nearly one year ago. The tracks have also been laid to run the trains on, but after that work had to be stalled as the signalling, electrical and traction tasks can't be completed with a gap in it. ''The steel structures were fabricated in a factory in Gurgaon. A slab is being cast at the track level using corrugated steel deck sheets, on which a layer of RCC will be put before the tracks are laid. The aim is to complete this first so that the rest of the line can be completed. About 70 percent of the construction is already complete,'' said the spokesperson. All the operational rooms have been shifted to the ground floor to save time.

The two hectare plot will house the main Metro station, a electrical sub station in 1 hectare, parking space and other utilities. DMRC had contemplated doing away with the Metro station after there were problem with acquiring three plots for construction.

But the gap between the two stations on either side — Qutub and Sultanpur — would have been 2.7 kms which is too long for a MRTS system. Also, this station is expected to cater to Vasant Kunj, Chhatarpur temple and the farmhouses and it also houses a huge parking lot which couldn't have been done away with.

Therefore, DMRC resorted to this rather unconventional construction technique to ensure that the Gurgaon line is opened in time.

Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Metros-steely-resolve-at-station-in-Chhatarpur/articleshow/5525765.cms