RailEnquiry

Kochi: DMRC would be facing a unique hurdle with the actual construction works starting when the monsoon is on in full swing. However ‘metroman’ E Sreedharan has directed engineers to be prepared for the challenge and that rains should be no reason for work delay. “During a routine meeting, one of the engineers pointed out the monsoon factor. Sreedharan then said in Kerala rains would be a factor in most of the 12 months. It couldn’t be avoided and that they must be prepared and no delay should occur,” sources said.Construction work on the over Rs 4800 crore Kochi Metro project began on Friday with Oommen Chandy inaugurating the Piling works at Edapally. The chief minister then said Sreedharan had promised that the project would become a reality in 1095 days, but, had also wanted that the metro work should not be affected even for a single day.“Now works of the viaduct pier and that of station construction are progressing simultaneously. Both involve piling works which are not manual and done using heavy machinery. The rains are not a problem and the work won’t be suffering because of the monsoon,” they said, though admitting that it would be affecting the land-filling works at the Muttom Yard.The 25-km Kochi Metro route, which will have 22 stations from Aluva to Petta, is expected to be completed in about three years. The works are being done in four packages – two already tendered and in case of the remaining two, the tenders would be floated in a week’s time.

For piling, only the pile cap and piers will be constructed at the site. The U-Girders will be cast at the casting yard and only the erection will be done at the site.