Railway under bridge at Mahakalipadpu to be completed by February

Railway under bridge at Mahakalipadpu to be completed by February

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Dec 29, 2024: Despite delays in starting work on the second vent of the Railway Under Bridge (RuB) under the Shoranur-Mangaluru Central line, Southern Railway’s Palakkad Division remains optimistic about completing the twin RuB project by February.

Divisional Railway Manager Arun Kumar Chaturvedi explained that preparatory works, including micro-piling, are complete. The second vent will be constructed using the box-pushing method instead of the conventional excavation technique used earlier, reducing safety risks and operational disruption.

The project faces technical challenges, including removing a massive rock formation through controlled blasting and working between two busy railway lines near Netravathi Cabin. Prefabricated RuB boxes—each 9 meters long, 10 meters wide, and 7 meters high—are being installed. Three boxes have already been pushed beneath the Mangaluru Junction line, and the remaining three will be installed under the Mangaluru Central line soon.

Mangaluru Smart City Ltd. (MSCL), which is executing the Rs.50 crore, 1,078-meter four-lane road project, will finalize the connecting roads after the Railway completes the RuB work.

The foundation stone for the project was laid in March 2021. The Mahakalipadpu Level Crossing was slated for closure after the RuBs’ commissioning in December 2023. However, delays have disrupted traffic along the busy Morgan’s Gate-Jeppinamogaru Road, closed since December 2022.

Safety concerns over excavation under the Mangaluru Central line prompted the shift to the box-pushing method for the second vent, ensuring stability and expedited completion.