The executive planning and development of the Kanpur Metro by the UPRMC has helped in executing a benchmarking performance in terms of the civil construction work amid the coronavirus pandemic. Setting the Kanpur Metro apart, from all such projects in the country is the pace of its development, which has devised both technology and novelty to its benefit.
As per the strategic layout of the programme, the UPMRC will flag off the Kanpur Metro, along the IIT-Motijheel ‘Priority Corridor’ by December 2021. The Kanpur Metro has also set its eyes on 2024 to commission services along the 23,785 km long route from IIT-Kanpur to Naubasta.
Kanpur Metro soon to become a reality
According to the Managing Director of the UPMRC, the major problem countered during work in the pandemic was a shortage of labour. However, the Kanpur Metro retained its labour force by assuring them adequate medical services in view of the infection spread. This plan yielded far-reaching results for the authority who employed 1000 workers within 50 days of the resumption of civil work. From working in the closed premises of Casting Yard and Polytechnic Depot with limited force, the Kanpur Metro has come a long way to set an example of rapid growth and development in the country.
Besides this, several technological advancements were used to progress the work of the metro line. Kanpur Metro became the fist metro corporation in India to use double T-girders to set the base of level-1 platforms at IIT-Kanpur Station. All nine stations of the Kanpur Metro Priority Corridor will get double T-girders for a quick, easy and concrete construction, totalling to about 434 such structures. Out of these, around 332 have already been erected; completing major work. Civil engineers, district metro officials and contractors have been lauded by the Managing Director, UPMRC for setting an excellent pace since the beginning of the project.
Besides this, the Kanpur Metro has also placed 100 U-shaped girders at the priority corridor. A total of 638 U-girders will be installed along the viaduct of this section. Additionally, the Kanpur Metro has also achieved a milestone by erecting 400 piers or pillars of the elevated Priority Corridor.
The Kanpur Metro is also using ‘cross-arm’ pier caps at metro stations, which will help to extend the length of the platform in future. In the first phase of the project, all metro stations in the city have been designed to be 80 m long, with the capacity to hold 4 train coaches. With these pier caps, on either side of the platform, the length of the station can be stretched over by 60m in the future, to a total length of 140 m. According to the current plans and designs, the stations can hold 4 coach long trains, however, with the extension, the holding capacity will raise to station 6-coach long trains.
The Future is now!
The Kanpur Metro, under the guidance of the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corp will be using distinct digital technologies, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) to build structures that can accommodate growth later. BIM is an intelligent 3-D based model construction of stations integrating new designs and techniques. This technique will ensure timely completion and cost-effectiveness of the project, stated the MD, UPRMC.
