After an initial lull, civil work for the Kochi Metro project is picking up pace in the Aluva-Kalamassery reach.
Work is yet to gain momentum in two subsequent reaches – Kalamassery-international stadium and stadium-Ernakulam South. Piling is yet to commence in the South-Pettah reach where obstacles abound.
DMRC confident
However, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is confident of completing all civil works in another 19 months as planned. Sources attributed the faster progress of works in the first reach to the availability of relatively wider road and the low piling depth required.
“The average pile depth here is 15 to 18 metres, while in sites nearer to the city it is 30 metres. It is nearly 40 metres in slushy areas such as Kaloor, making the process time consuming,” said sources.
Besides, NH 47 has been widened by over three metres in many parts of reach one, paving the way for more piling sites.
In the Aluva-Kalamassery reach, L&T has established new piling sites on either end of the Aluva flyover. Metro’s terminal station is expected to come up at one end, while the other one is for the viaduct.
Piling is under way at Pulinchodu, while that for a station is on at Muttom. One pier, four pile caps and 136 piles have been completed on the reach.
In the Kalamassery-stadium reach, L&T began piling in June for the station planned at Changampuzha Park, while piling began early October for the station in front of Apollo Tyres. In the reach, three pile caps and 113 piles are ready.
Soma Constructions has barricaded two adjacent piling sites – one each for the viaduct and the station at Kaloor. Another piling site is on M.G. Road. Eighty-three piles have been completed in the stadium-South reach.
In South-Pettah reach, Era Constructions is preparing to begin piling in a 700-metre portion beyond Vyttila Mobility Hub.
A week ago, the State government issued a 90-day deadline to relocate pipelines from S.A. Road, while the Revenue Department was asked to complete land acquisition to widen the Vyttila-Pettah Road.
In the centre of North overbridge, metro’s viaduct work is expected to be completed by November-end so as to commission lane two and three by the first week of December. Five piers have been completed on Town Hall side, while three are in progress on Lissie Junction side.
