Despite Delays, Lok Vihar Still On Track To Be 1st Station Of Nagpur Metro Ph2

Nagpur: The Lok Vihar Metro station on the Kamptee Road corridor is on track to becoming the first operational station of Nagpur Metro's Phase 2, with September this year being targeted as the deadline, even as prolonged monsoon last year disrupted construction for months. A senior MahaMetro official said the station's core civil and structural work was completed in February. "The focus is now on the final leg, which includes interior design, painting, installation of systems and finishing touches. Work is gaining pace to meet the revised commissioning schedule," the official said. Sources pointed out that shortage of sand in October and November last year also impacted progress, leading to partial halts at multiple sites. Now, both natural and crushed sand is being used.The Kamptee corridor (Reach 2) stretches from Automotive Square to Kanhan. Construction is underway at 11 of the 12 stations, with foundation and superstructure work progressing at multiple sites. Lok Vihar is being developed as a ‘model station.As per MahaMetro, work on the Kamptee, Wardha, Hingna and Bhandara corridors under phase 2 is progressing rapidly. On Kamptee corridor alone, 333 out of 487 piers (over 68%) have been erected, while 159 of 488 girder spans (around 35%) have been completed. Work on steel bridges and balanced cantilever structures is also progressing. Out of the 32 stations under Phase 2, construction is going on at over 26. On Reach 3 (Lokmanya Nagar to Hingna), Hingna Mount View is expected to be the lead station, while Transport Nagar is likely to take that position on Reach 4. Both remain at relatively early stages compared to Lok Vihar. # Works begin for installation of lifts and escalators MahaMetro has initiated installation of lifts and escalators, and construction of a 100-metre-long open web girder bridge over railway tracks on Reach-1A. Managing director Shravan Hardikar performed bhoomi puja for the works. The installation of lifts and escalators has commenced from the National Cancer Institute Metro station. Foundation was laid for a 100-metre steel open web girder bridge on the Khapri-MIDC ESR corridor. Weighing around 1,000 metric tonnes, the structure will be erected using the transverse launching method, which enhances safety, minimises risks and reduces dependence on railway blocks.