Latest news with #TArchunan
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Chennai metro installs longest precast u girder at ramapuram and plans corridor extension
On Monday, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) marked a new milestone with the installation of the country's longest precast U-girder — a 33.33m span — at Ramapuram, as part of Phase 2 Corridor 5 (Madhavaram-Sholinganallur). This surpasses the previous national record of 31m held by Bengaluru Metro. While most girders in Chennai measure about 25m, with 30m spans seen along OMR, this achievement was realised in collaboration with general consultant AEON and contractor L&T. U-girders are large, concrete beams positioned between two pillars to support metro tracks and enable faster construction, improved load handling, and quieter train operations, especially beneficial in dense urban stretches such as Ramapuram. Typically, longer spans at traffic junctions and U-turns are built using steel girders to accommodate future road widening. However, CMRL opted for a longer U-girder outside the L&T headquarters, combining structural efficiency with aesthetic design. "This will also help us cut costs to nearly half of what a steel girder would require," says CMRL Director (Projects) T Archunan. Casting the 225-tonne girder required specially fabricated moulds and complex pre-tensioning processes to ensure quality. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Calcule cuánto podría ganar invirtiendo $200 en Amazon CFD's y otras acciones de indetenible Undo Six such girders were launched over three spans, with two girders per span. To transport each girder from the Kolapancheri casting yard 18km away, L&T deployed multi-axle trailers and secured police permission to divert traffic and clear hindrances en route. Once onsite, the installation process was completed within five days. CMRL officials confirmed that similar long-span U-girders would be considered in future alignments to optimise cost and execution timelines. In a related development, the Tamil Nadu govt granted in-principle approval to extend Chennai Metro Phase-II Corridor 4 (Light House-Poonamalle) to Parandur in two stages, aimed at connecting the upcoming greenfield airport and the intercity bus terminal at Kuthambakkam. According to a govt order dated May 30, the project will span 52.94 km and be executed in two phases: Phase-I (Poonamallee–Sunguvarchatram, 27.9 km) was cleared for implementation at an estimated ₹8,779 crore. The detailed project report, prepared by Aarvee Associates and submitted by CMRL, was approved by the state and recommended to the Centre for funding on an equity-sharing basis and through external loan assistance.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
2 more flyovers to free up OMR
Chennai: Two new flyovers are set to be constructed to ease bottlenecks on Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) and allow free turns from Velachery. The unidirectional flyovers at SRP Tools Junction and Perungudi will improve connectivity for motorists travelling from Velachery towards Thiruvanmiyur, Thoraipakkam, and Sholinganallur. The 90-crore projects will run parallel to the ongoing Metro Rail construction on Corridor 3 (Madhavaram-Siruseri). The first flyover at SRP Tools Junction will be 760m long with two sharp 90-degree turns — a double-bent design. Motorists from Velachery can use a ramp to turn left, then right, and descend near LB Road in Thiruvanmiyur, bypassing signals. This will also offer Thoraipakkam-bound vehicles a signal-free right turn. The flyover will have two lanes and will run above ground, while metro rail track remains underground at this location, said T Archunan, Director (Projects), CMRL. The second flyover, at Apollo Hospital Junction in Perungudi, will be 615 metres long and 5.5 metres wide, functioning as a one-and-a-half-lane structure. It will allow vehicles coming from Velachery and Dr Ambedkar Law University to take a free right turn onto OMR, eliminating the need to halt at signals. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo This flyover will be built beneath the elevated metro rail viaduct, making construction more complex due to limited space on MGR Road and the need to land the ramp on the left side of OMR without disrupting straight-moving traffic. Currently, vehicles heading right take a forced left and travel nearly 500 metres before making a U-turn, causing severe congestion—especially during the monsoon. The flyovers could eliminate this detour and reduce chokepoints. CMRL officials say construction will begin after finalising bids. Since no land acquisition is required, work can begin quickly. Final designs were prepared in consultation with traffic police. However, residents fear short-term congestion will worsen during construction due to existing metro work.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
CMRL to add 28 new 6-car trains by 2028
Chennai: Metro commuters can expect shorter waits and less crowding on peak-hour trains by 2028, as Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) plans to induct 28 new six-car trains on its phase I network. This will reduce train frequency to three minutes on corridor one (Airport-Wimco Nagar) and 4–5 minutes on corridor two (Chennai Central-St Thomas Mount), replacing the current arrangement where trains run every 6 to 12 minutes on some sections and often operate as short-loop services — such as between Washermenpet and Alandur — rather than covering the full stretch. CMRL's 54km phase I has seen rising ridership, pushing current infrastructure to its limits. "Anticipating a surge in demand following commissioning of phase II by 2026-27 and the extension of corridor one to Kilambakkam, CMRL is upgrading its fleet and operations," said T Archunan, director (projects), CMRL. By 2028, corridor one is expected to carry up to 13,900 passengers an hour in a direction, while corridor two may take about 5,600 during peak hours. To manage this, CMRL will transition to a combined fleet of 80 trains by 2028 — 52 existing four-car sets and 28 new six-car sets. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like O novo dispositivo que os idosos usam para ajudar na neuropatia (dor nos nervos) A arte do herbalismo Undo To support six-car operations, infrastructure upgrades are planned at 21 underground stations. Nineteen of these require electrical integration for Platform Screen Doors (PSDs) — glass doors on platforms that open only when trains arrive — and some need full platform extensions and fresh PSD installations. Elevated stations such as those at Guindy, Alandur, Airport, and CMBT will also receive new PSDs, as per tender documents. These retrofits are being planned to meet 2036 demand in one phase, avoiding repeat work later. Depots too are being scaled up. The Koyambedu and Wimco Nagar depots will see new stabling lines, upgraded washing plants, inspection bays, and MP (machinery and plant) capacity to handle the expanded fleet. Commuters say it's high time CMRL added more trains — 2028 already feels too late. "During morning peak hours, it's so crowded near the doors that boarding or getting off is a struggle, and it can get risky. Bags or clothes sometimes get caught in the automatic doors," said D Ramakrishnan, a resident-activist from Adambakkam.
