The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has successfully deployed a large 65-meter-long Open Web Girder (OWG) across the Central Railway’s Vasai–Diva line at Anjurphata in Bhiwandi, marking a critical milestone for Mumbai Metro Line 5 (Thane–Bhiwandi–Kalyan). An important milestone in Phase 1 of the corridor, which connects Thane and Bhiwandi, has been reached with the launch.
Weighing an impressive 456 metric tonnes, the steel girder crosses one of the most sensitive and congested stretches along the route — the Thane–Bhiwandi Road crossing subway, located between Kharbav and Bhiwandi stations. The technically demanding operation required seamless coordination between MMRDA, Central Railway authorities, and local traffic police to ensure safety and precision.
The complex launch was carried out in two stages. The first involved pulling 44 metres of the girder into position, followed by aligning the entire 65-metre span. The task was executed 20 metres above ground level in a multilayered environment — with Thane–Bhiwandi Road at the base, railway tracks at the first level, and the Metro viaduct forming the second.
Engineers assembled the OWG in segments using heavy-duty cranes. For the final launch, the girder was moved into place over temporary supports using 40 Hillman rollers and four strand jacks, all powered by a specialised power pack system. This entire operation rested on a purpose-built enabling structure made of 400 metric tonnes of structural steel and rising 21 metres in height — a landmark in modern metro construction.
Officials confirmed that the placement of bearings and casting of the deck slab will be completed by 24 April 2025, taking the project a step closer to delivering improved connectivity and easing congestion in Mumbai’s fast-growing eastern corridor.
Source: The Times Of India
