Chennai Metro Sets National Record with India’s Longest U-Girder at Ramapuram

In a record-setting move for Indian metro infrastructure, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has set up India’s longest U-girder of 33.33 metres at Ramapuram under its Phase 2 Corridor 5 project.

The enormous 225-tonne structure was erected by CMRL in association with consultant AEON and contractor Larsen & Toubro (L&T). The engineering achievement is a component of Corridor 5 (ECV-02), which is between the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminal and Sholinganallur.

As per a statement issued by CMRL, the girder is also a national record for being the longest U-girder ever deployed in metro rail construction in India. Steel girders are usually the choice for difficult locations such as traffic intersections and U-turns. In a remarkable departure from conventional practice, CMRL, however, chose an extended U-girder system installed yards away from L&T’s headquarters showing a high degree of technical ingenuity and competence.

The construction involved placing the girder over three spans, two girders on each span, thus six U-girders of 33.33 meters each. The girder casting required precision engineering, with complex reinforcement and pre-tensioning employing specially designed moulds.

Moving the massive structure was another major problem. It was transported from the casting site to the location via 6+6 multi-axle trailers and a powerful Volvo FH 520 HP puller. The logistics involved careful planning and coordination for safety and accuracy at transit and installation.

CMRL termed the successful construction as a “historic engineering feat” and a big leap in Indian metro rail construction, reflecting the technical prowess of the team and the capability to challenge the status quo in infrastructure development.

This achievement sets Chennai at the forefront of modern urban transport systems, with Phase 2 projects continuing to make robust progress city-wide.