PUNE: The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MahaMetro) has sped up work on a challenging part of the viaduct between the Ideal Colony and Nal Stop Metro stations.
Between the two stations is the Paud Phata flyover, which sharply curves to the right from Nal Stop towards Paud Road. MahaMetro had finished a large portion of the work on the viaduct on both sides of this curve — from Vanaz to Paud Phata and from Garware College to Nal Stop — before tackling this tricky turn.
Officials said they were also on the verge of completing a crucial stretch near Krishna Hospital on Paud Road. They said work at both these spots had been pending because of various obstacles, which have now been cleared.
The Vanaz-Garware College stretch is part of the priority section on this corridor.
An official said piers have been erected at both spots and that spans would be launched in the next two or three months.
“We have installed a launching girder at Karve Road that is moving towards Paud Road along the flyover. We were waiting for some space near the flyover to be vacated before undertaking this work. Now that we have cleared most of the hurdles, we expect work to go smoothly,” the official said.
The official added that the work near Krishna Hospital was held up because a high-tension cable was to be moved underground. “This work got delayed because of the extended monsoon,” the official said.
Another official said this work would not hamper the flow of traffic and that they would be working at night as well.
The busy junction under the flyover is a crucial link to Kothrud, Karvenagar, Warje and beyond via Karve Road, and Ideal Colony, Anandnagar and Bhusari Colony on Paud Road.
MahaMetro said no road closure has been planned for the moment and added that work on the viaduct was nearly complete in the rest of the priority section.
“We are installing the overhead traction cables and tracks in the completed portions of this stretch. We have also expedited work on four stations on this stretch — Vanaz, Anandnagar, Ideal Colony and Garware College. We have removed barriers where work has been completed,” an official said.