URC completes final foundation for Super Corridor of Indore Metro Rail Project

Indore, India (Metro Rail Today): URC Construction, subcontracted by Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd. (RVNL), has achieved a significant milestone in the Indore Metro Phase 1 project by completing the final foundation for Package IN-03. This achievement marks the completion of all 377 pier foundations for the 33.53-kilometer stretch of the metro line, which is a key component of the city’s transportation expansion.

The final foundation, designated for pier P831, is situated between the Super Corridor 1 and Super Corridor 2 stations. With this last foundation cast, URC has now finalized all 142 open foundations and 235 pile cap foundations required for the metro line’s substructure. This completes an important phase of the construction, moving the project closer to operational readiness.

Overview of Package IN-03

Package IN-03, which spans 10.927 kilometers, forms a critical segment of the Indore Metro’s Yellow Line. It extends from MR10 Road to Gandhi Nagar, primarily following the Super Corridor Road. Earlier in March 2024, URC completed casting all 3,302 segments for the viaduct section near TCS Chauraha, another significant milestone in the project.

URC’s construction scope for Package IN-03 includes not only the foundational work but also the development of nine elevated stations. These stations are located at Gandhi Nagar, Super Corridor 6, Super Corridor 5, Super Corridor 4, Super Corridor 3, Super Corridor 2, Super Corridor 1, Bhawarsala Square, and MR10 Road. Additionally, URC is responsible for a 575-meter depot line.

The Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (MPMRCL) awarded the ₹1,034 crore contract for Package IN-03 to RVNL in September 2021. The original deadline for the project was set at 847 days, approximately 2.32 years. RVNL subcontracted the construction work to URC Construction, though the financial terms of the subcontract were not disclosed.

Progress and Upcoming Milestones

In September 2023, MPMRCL began trial runs on a 5.8-kilometer segment of IN-03, stretching from Gandhi Nagar Depot to Super Corridor-3 stations. This trial run is part of the testing phase before the full operational launch.

RVNL recently projected a December 2024 opening for the 16.21-kilometer section of the Yellow Line that includes both the Gandhi Nagar–Vijay Nagar stretch and Package IN-03. However, this timeline may be optimistic given that civil works and station finishing touches are still ongoing. As RVNL is the contractor and not the project owner, their timeline announcement might not fully reflect the project's actual completion status.

The completion of the final foundation for Package IN-03 represents a major step forward in the development of Indore’s metro system. As construction progresses, the new metro line is expected to significantly enhance connectivity and transit efficiency across the city, aligning with the broader goals of urban transportation development in Indore.