The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has successfully launched the first composite steel span for Metro Line 2B across the Central Railway corridor between Kurla and Vidyavihar stations, marking a key engineering milestone for the Andheri–Mankhurd metro line.
The 54.25-metre span, weighing 252 metric tonnes and comprising four composite steel girders, was installed during an overnight two-hour railway block on the CSMT–Panvel rail section. The operation was completed without disrupting railway operations within the allotted block period.
Two 500-metric-tonne hydraulic cranes operating in tandem, supported by a standby crane, carried out the lift. Around 30 engineers and nearly 100 skilled and unskilled workers were involved in the execution. Officials noted that the operation followed months of detailed engineering, fabrication and quality assurance, with all statutory clearances, safety approvals and railway permissions secured beforehand.
Metro Line 2B will connect D N Nagar in Andheri to Mandale in Mankhurd, forming one of Mumbai’s key east-west corridors. Phase 1 – a 4.5-kilometre stretch between Diamond Garden in Chembur and Mandale is already operational.
MMRDA stated that the successful installation demonstrates the engineering capability required to deliver major infrastructure projects in densely populated urban environments. The authority acknowledged support from Central Railway and other agencies involved in facilitating the operation.
