Vibration-absorbing tracks to be laid for Mumbai Metro 3 project

As per a recent update, officials at the MMRC have shared the information of using a Swiss machine for vibration control on Metro 3 tracks, and the plans to implement this on the Colaba-Bandra-Seepz route is expected to make the journey even more comfortable for the commuters.

This step of the project also marks the first time such developments to have implemented for a metro project in the country, and reports state that the MMRCL team will be laying the vibration absorbing tracks soon, and the trial production of the same has begun. Officials will be laying the High Vibration Attenuation Booted Twin Sleeper Blocks (HVABTSB) using the Swiss machine. 

Talking about the same, MMRCL Director (Projects) SK Gupta, stated that the HVABTSB tracks will be able to absorb vibrations of up to 22 vibration decibels which is more than the ones absorbed by the normal tracks. Moreover, this will be the first time it will be used in India on such a level. Officials have studied that the plan will benefit the congested city like Mumbai which also boasts of several heritage structures, old buildings, residential colonies, hospitals, schools, and other properties, which could face the effect of the vibrations

Sharing more information, Gupta added that a total of two machines will be able to produce 12,000 sleeper blocks at the MMRCL’s facility set up in Wadala, and the team has studied a need for around 2.1 lakh sleeper blocks to be laid on the entire 33.5 km long underground corridors of the Metro-3 project. These will also be one of the most crucial steps of the project, as it focuses on tracks with lesser vibrations and smoother ride for the commuters. To ensure a smoother process, the team will also check on the performance and production aspects closely, in association with the experts.

The estimated cost of this leg of the project is said to be approximately INR 23,000 crore, and the Metro-3 line will have 27 underground stations, expected to be operational in 2021. As planned, the route will pass below some temples, Dharavi slums, Mithi River, Mumbai Airport, Mahim creek, Aarey forests, and some railway stations.