Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) successfully installed eight U-girders overnight at the Kapurbawdi station on the upcoming Metro Line 4, connecting Wadala to Gaimukh.
Each U-girder, weighing approximately 97.92 metric tonnes and spanning 18 metres, was meticulously positioned across two spans supporting both up and down corridors. The operation, conducted during the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, involved the coordinated efforts of over 90 personnel, including riggers, skilled and unskilled labourers, and traffic management officials. Kapurbawdi station, situated on Ghodbunder Road in Thane, is poised to become a pivotal interchange point, linking Metro Lines 4 and 5. The station’s design features a 185-metre-long elevated level supported by a unique three-legged portal structure, engineered to accommodate high-density metro traffic and facilitate seamless integration between the two lines.
The installation marks a critical milestone in the completion of the 35.2-kilometre fully elevated corridor of Metro Line 4, which comprises 32 stations and is envisioned to revolutionise east-west connectivity in Mumbai. Once operational, the line is expected to significantly reduce travel time by 50 to 75 percent on major routes, offering a clean and reliable alternative to road transport. The overnight operation was executed with precision, utilising high-capacity cranes, multi-axle trailers, pullers, and lifting gear. Traffic officials were actively involved to ensure minimal disruption to commuters along the busy Ghodbunder Road.
Metro Line 4 is designed to integrate with existing transport networks, including the Eastern Express Highway, Central Railway, Mono Rail, and future Metro Lines 2B, 5, and 6. This strategic connectivity aims to alleviate traffic congestion and promote sustainable urban development across Mumbai’s extended suburbs. The MMRDA’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure is evident in the project’s emphasis on energy-efficient systems and eco-friendly construction practices. The successful installation of the U-girders at Kapurbawdi station underscores the agency’s dedication to advancing Mumbai’s transit infrastructure while prioritising environmental considerations.
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