MUMBAI: A major engineering feat was achieved on the under-construction Lokhandwala-Vikhroli Metro Line 6 over days leading up to Sunday. In one of its most challenging stretches between Ram Mandir and Jogeshwari stations, engineers and workers first constructed a critical pier along Western Railway tracks within an active train zone over days, followed by the launch of a 42-metre steel composite span over tracks.The launch was carried out by MMRDA, in coordination with Western Railway, in the early hours of Sunday. The 14.5km Pink Line is fully elevated, featuring 13 stations and a 15.2hectare depot at Kanjurmarg.
An MMRDA official said the pier was built between the up-through and downthrough railway lines in a highly confined, high-risk location. The foundation and pier construction were executed under stringent railway safety norms despite continuous train movement, limited night working windows, and intensive monitoring requirements.To facilitate the launch of steel girders, Western Railway implemented a major night block on its suburban section between Saturday and Sunday. WR chief spokesperson Vineet Abhishek said the block between Ram Mandir and Jogeshwari enabled the girder launch for Metro Line 6. The operation included a three-hour traffic and overhead equipment (OHE) block on the 6th line, along with a 10-hour block for crane stabling until Sunday morning.
The operation required meticulous planning and heavy machinery. Equipment deployed included a 600-ton crane, two 500-ton cranes, two additional standby cranes of similar capacity, two hydras, two JCBs, a material lifter and two tower wagons. A total of 110 personnel were involved, including 40 railway staff and 70 contractor staff.Simultaneously, Western Railway carried out another major block at Dahisar to launch girders for two footoverbridges. This block affected the down slow, up slow, and down fast lines from 2.054.05am, while the up fast line remained blocked from 2.053.05am. “With 88% of civil work completed on Metro Line 6, this milestone reflects precision, planning, and strong coordination with Western Railway,” an MMRDA official said.
