SNC completes Final U-Girder Casting for Bangalore Metro Phase 2

Bangalore, India (Metro Rail Today): On Monday, Shankaranarayana Constructions (SNC) reached a significant milestone by casting the final U-girder for Package 2 of the 56 km Bangalore Metro Blue Line's Outer Ring Road (ORR) section. This marks the completion of an intensive effort to lay the structural foundation for a crucial segment of the city's expanding metro network.

The Bangalore Metro Blue Line, managed by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL), is undergoing substantial development under Phase 2A (19 km ORR Line) and Phase 2B (37 km Airport Line). Once completed, this line will seamlessly connect Silkboard, KR Puram, and Bengaluru International Airport via 30 strategically located stations.

SNC's casting yard for the ORR Line's 8.377 km Package 2 (stretching from Kodibeesanahalli to KR Puram) is situated in Kacharakanahalli near Whitefield. This yard is equipped with two 146-meter-long casting beds, each capable of producing five U-girders at a time, with lengths varying from 18 meters to 27.90 meters. These girders form the backbone of the line's viaduct and station structures.

The first U-girder was cast on February 11, 2022. Out of the 519 girders, 435 are allocated for the viaduct and 84 for the stations, with each station requiring 12 girders.

SNC was awarded the contract for Package 2 of the ORR Line in May 2021. The contract, valued at Rs. 623.55 crore, came with a stringent 27-month completion timeline. The project's scope includes constructing an 8.377 km viaduct and seven elevated stations at Kodibeesanahalli, Marathahalli, ISRO, Doddanekundi, DRDO Sports Complex, Saraswathi Nagar (Mahadevpura), and KR Puram. Additionally, the contract involves building a 1.097 km depot line connecting to the existing Baiyapanahalli Depot and a 0.30 km pocket track.

To date, SNC has successfully launched 417 out of 519 U-girders. The launch milestones include:

• The first U-girder was launched in June 2022 at Mahadevapura.

• The 200th U-girder was launched in May 2023 at the Doddanekundi Split Flyover.

• The 300th U-girder was launched in November 2023 at the Mahadevapura Flyover.

• The 400th U-girder was launched in June 2024, north of Saraswathinagar Station.

For a comparative perspective, Afcons Infrastructure, another major player in the metro construction sector, has launched 293 out of 652 U-girders for the 9.859 km Package 1 of the ORR Line, connecting Silkboard to Kodibeesanahalli.

While the complexity and scope of work vary between different sections, the anticipated timeline for the completion of Phase 2A (ORR Line) is around Q2 2026. Meanwhile, the rest of the Blue Line (Phase 2B or Airport Line) is expected to be operational no sooner than Q2 2027.

This achievement by SNC is a testament to their commitment and engineering prowess. The successful casting and subsequent launch of these U-girders bring Bangalore Metro closer to enhancing its connectivity and easing the commute for millions of residents and visitors.

The completion of the final U-girder casting by SNC marks a pivotal moment in the construction of the Bangalore Metro Blue Line's ORR section. This project not only showcases the technological advancements and capabilities of the construction teams but also represents a significant step towards improving urban mobility in Bangalore. As the city anticipates the operational phases of the metro line, the efforts of companies like SNC continue to play a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation infrastructure.