The Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC) is steaming ahead. Within weeks of awarding the first contract for its underground section, the infrastructure arm of the Shapoorji Pallonji Group — Afcons Infrastructure — has been given the mandate to construct the final underground portion that is to be bored under the Hooghly river.
Earlier this month, ITD Cementation Ltd was awarded the Rs 909-crore contract to build the underground section from Subhas Sarobar to Central Station. Subsequently, Afcons will construct the remainder of the line from Central Station to Howrah Maidan at a cost of Rs 938 crore.
Afcons, in a joint venture with a Russia's Transtonnelstroy Limited, will build three underground stations and twin bored tunnels. The length of the tunnel will be about 2,954 meters, of which approximately 520 meters will be under the river.
“This is the first time in India that a transportation tunnel project is running approximately 20 meters below a river and hence, is challenging. This project will be a boon to commuters travelling from Howrah to Kolkata. Latest technologies will be used in the construction of this under-river link and will go a long way in boosting the transportation infrastructure of the city,” Afcons, Director (Transportation) Ramakrishna V Ramanan said.
KMRC, a joint venture between the state government and the Union urban development ministry, is developing the Rs 4676.40 crore East-West metro corridor project that comprises a 5.7 km-long elevated section and a 8 km-long underground segment.
Gammon India and Simplex have been given the contract for the viaducts and elevated stations, respectively.
While the elevated section of the East-West corridor is expected to be operational by October 2013, the entire Metro line is likely to be in service by December 2014.
