Kochi: Railways and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has finally reached consensus over deployment of heavy machines near tracks at South station. With this, the complex work to set up a 90-metre-long balanced cantilever concrete span diagonally over railway overhead lines as part of the Kochi Metro construction has resumed.
The work, originally scheduled in December, was stalled for nearly three months after the Railways objected to the use of heavy equipment like 'tower crane' citing safety issues.
However, later Railways gave a conditional nod and asked the DMRC to pay Rs 6 crore as security deposit which the latter refused to heed to.
"The Metro authorities pointed out that it was adept at using 'tower crane' and such equipment is normally used at worksites including that of the Railways. The issue was taken up at the higher level and the Railways finally gave nod for the work. Further correspondence between the parties is on," sources said.
This is the first time such a construction technology is being used in plain land in the region though the same was used to construct the Varapuzha Bridge.
"The work will now be completed by February, over two months behind schedule, though it will not affect the overall metro construction works," sources said.
The viaduct construction over the Railway overhead wires near the South station commenced on December 3, 2015, and was scheduled to be completed by December 2017. The span is constructed by S.P. Singla Constructions Ltd with the total project estimate cost of Rs 47.91 crore. The platform at both ends consists of four piers having 44 piles with a depth of 60 metres. The height of the span from the track level is 13 metres.
