DMRC’s girder launch in the Aluva-Palarivattom alignment of Kochi Metro may get delayed by over a week in the wake of the PWD restricting traffic along HMT Road that is being white topped.
The commencement of launch was scheduled for this week. The road leads to metro’s casting yard in HMT land where girders, pier (pillar) and caps are being pre-cast. The girders are schedule to be launched over pier caps at Pulinchodu near Aluva and Cusat Junction.
The agency had during the past two months launched 34 pier caps atop this many number of pillars.
Metro sources said that 58 U-girders, two I-girders and 27 pier caps that were cast at the yard are waiting to be transported to work sites. “Specialised machinery to tow, transport and launch them before the monsoon are getting ready. They need clear passage through HMT Road.” Traffic curbs on HMT road has also affected supply and transportation of materials to piling sites in the metro alignment.
Responding to this, KMRL sources said that it was decided at last week’s meeting convened by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy that the ongoing concrete topping of 300 metres of the road would be concluded within 10 days. The work may take another day or two to get over.
In the meantime, Kochi metro stakeholders and PWD officials will jointly inspect HMT road on Tuesday, to probe ways to surmount the issue.