Kochi Metro works cause worry for oil firms

Kochi: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) would conduct a survey in at least three sites before commencing the piling works there to ensure no underground gas pipelines are damaged. This after the major oil companies like BPCL and IOC expressed concern over possibility of metro works causing damage to the pipelines at Jos Junction, South railway station premises and Pettah.

"A joint meet with metro officials was convened and also a site inspection held. The metro works so far didn't have any bearing on the pipelines but we want to ensure safety at these locations too," said Murali Sreenivasan, general manager of IOC (Kerala Office).

The DMRC has informed the oil companies that the piling works will be taken up at these areas only after a detailed investigation. "The pipelines could be easily located as they won't be much deeper. Currently piling is in progress at the Karshaka Road side where work of the 90-metre-long balanced cantilever concrete span is progressing," sources said.

Due to soft nature of soil, the pillar rigs at the railway station and Jos Junction sites require over 16 piles instead of the normal three to four at other places.

They also need to be constructed as deep as 40 metres. Meanwhile, piling activities will start at the main entrance side of the South railway station next week as part of constructing the balanced cantilever concrete span diagonally over the 25 KV overhead railway electric lines.

A total of four pillars will be set up inside the station premise. This will be the first time the balanced cantilever construction technology is used in plain land in the region.