BMRCL Installs 65-Meter Composite Girder Over Salem Railway Bridge On ORR Metro Line

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has achieved a major milestone in its Phase 2A & 2B metro expansion. On January 30, 2025, BMRCL successfully installed a 65-meter-long steel girder over the Salem Railway Bridge on the Outer Ring Road (ORR) Metro Line. This crucial structure, located between ISRO and Doddanekkundi metro stations, will support both existing railway lines and future expansions.

Installing the girder was not easy due to limited space and the skewed road crossing at the railway track. Normally, two large cranes would be used, requiring a complete road closure. However, to reduce traffic disruption, BMRCL used a single 700 MT crane and divided the girder into three sections: two smaller ones of 14.5 meters each and a central portion of 36 meters.

Girder Specifications:

Length: 65 meters
Weight: 575 MT
Number of Girders: 4
Depth: 3.4 meters

BMRCL typically uses 28-meter U-girders for metro construction, but longer composite girders are required for railway crossings and major junctions.

To complete the installation, traffic on the ORR and train services on the Salem railway line were temporarily blocked. The Bengaluru Traffic Police approved a night-time road closure from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM, while Indian Railways permitted work from 11:30 PM to 3:30 AM.

A team of over 70 workers, including BMRCL engineers, railway officials, and contractors, carried out the task in phases. The first 36-meter section was installed on January 27, followed by two more on January 28, and the final girder on January 29.

What's Next?

The girder had to be carefully aligned at a height of 14-15 meters, requiring precision and patience. It took three hours to set up the massive crane, with a backup crane ready in case of any issues.

The remaining work, including fixing the last 14.5-meter girder segment, constructing the deck slab, and installing parapets, will be completed in the next two months. Once finished, all road restrictions in this area will be removed.