DMRC lays Metro tracks at record height in Karkarduma

It’s a first for the Delhi Metro! A track for the Metro train has been laid at a record height by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation above another existing Metro track at the Karkarduma Metro Station.

The new track has been built at a record height of 21 metres above the ground and 10 metres above the functioning track, which is 11 metres above the ground.

“It is the first such achievement in Metro construction so far. The DMRC is poised to repeat it in its Phase III project which is slated to be completed by 2016,” said a DMRC spokesperson.     

“Construction for crossing over of Metro viaduct at the existing Karkarduma Metro station was never an easy task for the engineers. It posed numerous challenges to the civil engineers throughout the project as this is one of the highest crossings of the Metro line,” said a DMRC official. “The work was done without disrupting the normal daily passenger services for even a single day,” he added.

The elevated viaducts will pass over the existing Phase I and Phase II Metro corridors at four locations — Netaji Subhash Place, Dhaula Kuan, Mayur Vihar and Anand Vihar.

According to DMRC, the new Majlis Park–Shiv Vihar line is crossing the existing Vaishali-Dwarka at Karkarduma station and the gap between both lines is 10 metres. “This 59 kilometre-Line 7, Majlis Park–Shiv Vihar, is crossing the existing Vaishali-Dwarka Metro alignment at Karkarduma just before the existing Karkarduma station at an angle of 114 degrees. The DMRC had to carry out segmental erection for putting a special span of 37 metres between pier numbers 254 and 255,” the corporation said.

According to Metro, the DMRC has crossed the existing Metro line at such a height in a very safe and systematic manner with all safety precautions in place. The launching of girder and erection of span was carried out in a watchful manner with extra precautions in place.

“Extensive round-the-clock CCTV monitoring was done adjacent to the rail track to avoid any signs of electrocution and fall of material during crossing,” said the spokesperson.

“The monitoring included providing earthing to the launching girder, pre-stressing beam and erected segments. The work was carried out during the shadow block of the existing system during non-operating hours after getting all the clearances from the competent authorities,” he added.