Work on stalled girders to finally resume next month

It appears that the Central Railway and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) have solved their differences over the under-construction Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR).

Months away from completion: The work on SCLR is in progress and the MMRDA officials are confident of completing the project by March 2014. File pic

It has been learnt that the all-important work -- laying girders -- for completing this decade-old project would begin by September-end.

At a meeting held between the CR and the MMRDA authorities on August 20, officials reached a consensus and decided to expedite project.

Sources in the railways said that the work of launching girders over rail tracks between Kurla and Vidyavihar stations should commence by September-end.
Earlier, the CR had denied permission during monsoon.

"We held a meeting to decide the programme for launching girders over the tracks for the SCLR. As of now, this work would require around 15 days," a senior CR official said.

Though plans are still being chalked out, it is said that each of the girders would require about three hours for installation and the work would be carried out in the night so that the work does not disrupt services.

While everything depends on the kind of permission MMRDA secures from the CR, possibility launching steel girders during daytime on weekends cannot be ruled out. CR officials said they want to be sure about the girders' design so that lakhs of commuters who travel via Kurla are not inconvenienced.

"Total 14 steel girders would be launched during the block period, after which the bridge above the tracks would be ready. We are hoping to complete the SCLR by December," MMRDA Commissioner UPS Madan said.

Other issues like shifting of overhead cables, creating area for placing cranes and tents for workers at the site were also discussed during the meeting. This is the thirteenth deadline set by the MMRDA to complete the project.

Fact-wise
Rs 114.8 cr
Estimated cost of the project in 2003

Rs 428 cr
Estimated cost of the project today

17-20 min
Travel time once the SCLR is completed

12
Number of deadlines MMRDA skipped for the project u00a0