A major engineering milestone was achieved in the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project as a 200-tonne steel span was successfully positioned over the Barapula viaduct. This installation connects the Sarai Kale Khan station with the Jangpura stabling yard, overcoming one of the toughest infrastructural challenges on the route.
Complex Installation Over Busy Corridor
The newly installed span had to navigate a tricky path — crossing the Ring Road, the Barapula flyover, and a drain below. Engineers from the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) designed a customized solution using four 40-meter-long steel girders, each weighing approximately 50 tonnes.
The installation was executed during nighttime hours to minimize traffic disruption, using three high-capacity cranes in a two-stage lifting procedure. To ensure uninterrupted execution, a backup power system was coordinated with Delhi Transco Limited to manage the nearby 220kV high-tension line safely.
Precision Engineering Meets Urban Complexity
Due to limited vertical and horizontal space, the girders were first placed on the flyover and then hoisted onto pre-built pillars from both ends. The task demanded millimeter-level precision and extensive collaboration among civil authorities, including PWD, Traffic Police, and the NCRTC engineering team.
The steel span, fabricated off-site and assembled on location, was designed to match specific structural and geometric conditions of the area. Its successful placement showcases the innovative civil engineering employed in building modern high-speed urban rail infrastructure in dense city zones.
Countdown to Operational Launch
With this critical section now structurally bridged, the Delhi–Ghaziabad–Meerut RRTS corridor remains on track for a full public launch by the end of 2025. Once operational, the system will enable rapid commutes between Delhi and Meerut in under an hour, passing key hubs like Ghaziabad, Muradnagar, and Modinagar.
This corridor, developed at a cost exceeding ₹30,000 crore, aims to redefine intercity travel with reduced congestion, improved air quality, and state-of-the-art transit infrastructure.