The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed a key construction milestone for Metro Line 2B by successfully launching a large composite steel span over the Central Railway corridor between Kurla and Vidyavihar stations.
The operation was carried out in the early hours of Sunday between 1 am and 3 am, during a scheduled railway block granted by Central Railway. As part of the exercise, engineers installed a 54.25-metre-long composite span consisting of four steel girders with a total weight of 252 metric tonnes.
The challenging task was executed within a two-hour window over active railway infrastructure, requiring precise planning and coordination. Around 30 engineers and 100 skilled workers participated in the operation. Two 500-metric-tonne hydraulic cranes were deployed simultaneously to lift and position the structure, while an additional crane remained on standby as a contingency measure.
The successful installation marks an important step in the development of Metro Line 2B, which will connect Mankhurd Mandale and DN Nagar, linking several key residential, commercial and transit hubs across Mumbai.
“This achievement reflects MMRDA’s commitment to engineering excellence, precision and safety in delivering world-class infrastructure for Mumbai,” the authority said in a statement.
Officials noted that the smooth execution was the result of months of preparation. MMRDA had obtained the necessary statutory clearances and railway permissions in advance, while the steel structure underwent detailed fabrication, testing and quality inspections before being transported to the site.
The authority also highlighted the coordination between MMRDA, Central Railway and multiple contractor agencies as a critical factor behind the successful completion of the operation.
Metro Line 2B is considered one of Mumbai’s key transit projects and is expected to improve east-west connectivity across the city, including through the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) corridor. Infrastructure experts note that installing spans above operational railway lines is among the most complex stages of elevated metro construction due to strict safety and scheduling requirements.
“Over-track spans at busy railway junctions represent some of the most challenging and schedule-critical elements of elevated metro construction. With this milestone cleared, the project takes a significant step forward,” an official said.
Source: Mid-day
