As construction of new 3rd and 4th line on Wardha-Nagpur route gathers pace, Central Railway is planning an underground passage at Khapri for overcoming the hurdle of railway overbridge (RoB). Since both the lines are being laid on left side of existing UP line (one going towards Mumbai direction from Nagpur), the ramp of RoB is causing infringement, said people familiar with the project. So after deliberation on various possibilities, officials of Construction Organisation have finally settled on time tested push box method for the subway for open line on Khapri-Ajni section in Nagpur Division. Push box below the existing RoB at Khapri is the only viable alternative and same is needed for laying of the 4th line, said the people in know of project details. Much thought was given to various options, including replacement of existing RoB, with new one.

 

However, CR bosses now settled on a short push box to avoid delay in completion of the expansion project. By next year, the Construction Organisation expects to make significant progress on Butibori-Khapri segment which is about 15 km and thereafter lay the final track on Khapri-Ajni segment, a distance of 9 km as per the plans. Apart from many challenges on 75 km new line stretch, the Khapri-Nagpur segment is going to be beset with many hurdles about which deliberations are on since long. At Khapri, it was known that the existing ramp on Chinchbhuvan side of RoB would pose problem as its width is 15 metres whereas for tracks 5.3 m x 2 width would be required. Said officials familiar with railway projects, for third line sufficient space is available adjacent to existing track. But as railway is planning simultaneous 4th line also extra space is needed keeping in mind the curves and alignment that would form and hence a subway through the ramp is the solution. In fact sources said, sometimes back, Dy. CE (Construction), Nagpur, communicated with National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) seeking to if Khapri RoB is causing infringement with proposed alignment of 3rd and 4th railway line.

 

Thereafter dissuasion was held between the two sides to explore possibility of demolition of existing old Khapri RoB to ensure sufficient clearance on ground below for 4th line. But talks failed on issue of who would finance the new bridge as NHAI said since there is requirement of Railways latter should foot the bill. Further as codal life for concrete construction is of 80-years a question arose as to what justification to be given for demolition of existing bridge. So in the end Railways settled on push box subway saying that it would save substantial cost, although nearly Rs 24.63 crore is being spent on the same. As per the plan finalised by Construction wing officials, the push box of 1/7.05x7.55 m dimension would be first cast below the Khapri RoB where ample railway land is available.

 

Thereafter the box would be pushed through the ramp for which NHAI has promised to provide block, means movement of traffic on the old RoB would be stopped. Hardly three to four days time is expected to complete the pushing of pre-cast box through the ramp. As against this new bridge construction would take-up nearly two years period. The experts said project of subway at Khapri is not peculiar and is quite well known practice at places were old bridges exists over Indian Railways line. They also ruled out any danger to soil compaction as the push box is safe and sound method and would be further cover over the top with proper safety measures.