Massive girder installed to link Mumbai Coastal Road with Bandra Worli Sea Link
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Mumbai: In an engineering feat, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has successfully connected the upcoming Mumbai Coastal Road (MCR) with the existing Bandra Worli Sea Link (BWSL) using innovative methods in the Arabian Sea.
The achievement was marked by the installation of a massive 136-meter-long Bow Arch String Girder, weighing approximately 2,000 tonnes, at 3:25 a.m. on Friday. This milestone moment witnessed the convergence of two crucial routes in south Mumbai through India's largest 'arch bridge'.
BMC Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, along with other officials, observed the culmination of this engineering marvel after an intense effort lasting 85 minutes in the early hours of the morning.
The girder embarked on its journey aboard a 25,000-tonne barge from Mazagon Docks on Wednesday, reaching Worli Bay by 4 a.m. the following day, marking the beginning of the installation process.
Utilizing favorable tidal conditions, the girder was carefully maneuvered into position at the midpoint between the MCR and the BWSL, ensuring stability amid the sea waves and winds. The precise setup involved the use of four 'mating units' on both routes, which were meticulously aligned and secured at 3:25 a.m., completing the connection amidst applause and cheers.
With the girder in place, preparations are underway for asphalting and waterproofing to facilitate the smooth passage of vehicles in the coming weeks.
Manufactured in pre-fabricated parts in Ambala, Haryana, the colossal girder was transported to Mazagon Docks with the assistance of 500 trailer trucks. Advanced welding technology was employed for assembly before embarking on its 62-kilometer sea voyage to the Bandra Worli Sea Link.
Following the installation, engineers will proceed with erecting jacks at all four corners of the girder. Once activated, the cones and units will be removed, and the girder will be settled using bearings before the completion of cement concretization using anti-corrosive C-5 Japanese technology.
While the south-bound arm of the MCR was inaugurated in March, connectivity to the sea link for its onward phases till Borivali remained pending. A second similar girder, measuring 143 meters in length, is expected to be installed near the BWSL by mid-May, further enhancing connectivity and facilitating seamless traffic movement in both directions.
