On Friday, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) finished casting the main foundation cap of the city’s first zero-shaped, or ‘Shunya’ cable-stayed bridge in Santacruz. The 130-metre bridge, built over Vakola nullah, is part of the DN Nagar-Bandra-Mankhurd Metro 2B line, which costs Rs 10,986 crore.
An MMRDA official confirmed the completion of the concrete casting for the structure, saying the oval or’shunya’-shaped structure will be at the core of the bridge to support the Metro-2B viaduct crossing Vakola nullah. “Of the total length, 80 metres will be the only long main span crossing this nullah, while the remaining 50 metres will be the anchor span.” “We have finished a massive pile cap for the ‘Shunya’ Iconic Bridge,” he continued.
“The pile foundation cap will weigh approximately 197 metric tonnenes, including a 45-metric-tonne pedestal. The concrete was checked under different temperatures to ensure that the construction is sturdy,” the official said, adding that “monitoring devices and sensors are embedded across the pile cap to keep track of the temperature’s increase and fall”.
The ‘Shunya’ Iconic Bridge, according to Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee, metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA, is yet another marvel of architecture created to symbolise the contribution of “zero” to civilization. “The unmatchable skills of our engineers are currently giving life to a design masterpiece, and their skills are being put to great use through the consistent efforts of our consultants and contractors,” he went on to say.
“MMRDA is fortunate to have earned the dedication of highly talented engineers, consultants, contractors, and construction workers in all of its dream infrastructural pursuits, time and time again,” stated Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA. “The Shunya Iconic Bridge is yet another gem of MMRDA architecture, created to represent the contribution of “zero” to all of humanity. Our engineers’ unrivalled skills are currently bringing to life a design masterpiece, and their abilities are being put to good use thanks to the tireless efforts of our linked consultants and contractors. We are currently witnessing the magic that occurs when the finest equipment is combined with one of the most dedicated professional teams.”
MMRDA decided in mid-September to expand the 23.5-kilometre-long Metro 2B from Mandale Depot to Cheetah Camp at an extra expense of 205 crore. This line will run through SV Road, Bandra, Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Kurla, Chembur, Mankhurd, and Mandale, where the metro depot is currently under construction.
“The Pile Foundation Cap has dimensions of 20.59 m x 11.979 m x 3 m. The pile cap’s concrete volume is approximately 670 cubic metres, with a reinforcement of approximately 197 metric tonnes, including a pedestal of approximately 45 metric tonnes. The pile foundation cap was embedded with 75-diameter VSL 835/1035 threaded stress bars (FFT bars). The FFT bars total 120 in number, and their use strengthens the pylon base to bigger proportions”, a report added.
Using concrete temperature monitoring, MMRDA has taken excellent measures to maintain ideal temperatures. Temperature monitoring devices as well as sensors are installed on three separate layers of the pile cap, categorised by depth. The concrete temperature monitoring system monitors temperature changes, and cold water and ice flakes are used to minimise the effects of heat on concrete. Water sprinklers are used to keep the transit mixers wet, and hessian material is used to cover them. The meticulous implementation of planned operations, together with the construction workers’ unrelenting dedication, is resulting in steady and significant development.