Girder-laying work to hit train services on Sunday

The Southern Railway has planned to execute the work of placing PSC (Prestressed Concrete) precast girders on the beams across the track near Korukkupet railway station on Sunday. As such, trains between Vyasarpadi and Korukkupet stations will be cancelled on that day.

The engineering department of the Southern Railway, in 2007, planned to construct a Road Over Bridge (ROB) near Korukkupet railway station at an estimated cost of 14.5 crore, wherein the Railways and the State Highways department would share the cost.

The plan met with bottlenecks for two years in the form of land acquisition and road diversions. In due course, LC (Level Crossing) No 1, between Vyasarpadi and Korukkupet was closed. The plan kicked off in 2009 and the foundation was completed. Now, the super-structure process is being carried over.

“The super-structure process includes the placing of girders on the beams which are laid across the track for road approach,” said G B Reddy, Chief Engineer, Southern Railway.

“We have six girders to place above the beams. We are using three heavy-duty cranes in this process. Since the process needs an entire day, trains between Vyasarpadi and Korukkupet stations will be cancelled on Sunday. During the process of moving the heavy girders mishaps can happen. But we have taken necessary steps to prevent mishaps. Since trespassing will be the major problem, we have also sought police help,” he added.

He also requested residents in the vicinity of level crossing No.1 and others to avoid using the road passing through the crossing as a precautionary measure.