RVNL is set to close the 125-meter gap in the New Garia-Airport line with the completion of the viaduct. Half of the two-legged piers were constructed by RVNL before a traffic block was initiated last year. The project is scheduled for completion by the Pujas, after which the site will be returned to the police. Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) is finally obtaining the long-awaited site at Metropolitan on EM Bypass to fill the 125-meter viaduct gap in the New Garia-Airport corridor. Girder-launching for the final 100 meters beyond the metro station at Metropolitan, which is essential for commencing operations beyond Ruby, is set to commence on Friday night. Kolkata Police has initiated traffic trials for vehicle diversion following the barricading around the two incomplete piers, 288 and 289. These five-day traffic trials will precede a 90-day traffic block to facilitate the completion of the two portal piers, which have remained half-finished for several months. Approximately 5.5 meters of the surrounding area has been cordoned off around the two portal piers (288, 289), and traffic is being redirected along the widened road by RVNL, the implementing agency for the 29km New Garia-Airport (Orange) line on the western side of EM Bypass near the Metropolitan crossing. RVNL had completed half of the construction of the two-legged piers before last year's traffic block. Completion is anticipated by Pujas, after which the site will be handed over to the police. RVNL urgently requires the site to bridge the gap at Metropolitan crossing to expedite the launch of the Orange line's 4.5km extension to Metropolitan. "Girder-launching for the viaduct up to pier 287 will be conducted on weekends, and construction of the viaduct up to this point will be completed within the next two months," officials stated. The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) inspected the additional stretch on March 28 and 29 but withheld approval for commercial operations due to the absence of a 90-meter viaduct beyond the Metropolitan Metro station (officially known as Beleghata Metro station), where the tracks are laid. The section includes four stations: Beleghata station at Metropolitan, VIP Bazar, Ritwik Ghata, and Barun Sengupta. The extra 90-meter viaduct beyond the Metropolitan Metro station is necessary for eight-car rakes to switch tracks. Currently, the New Garia-Airport line spans 5.4km from New Garia to Ruby crossing. RVNL has been pursuing the site at Metropolitan for the past six years and had to halt girder launching abruptly on a few meters due to the unavailability of night traffic blocks. The source reported on March 31 that the CCRS expressed dissatisfaction and urged Metro Railway, which operates the city's mass rapid transit network, to immediately implement traffic blocks at Metropolitan crossing to facilitate the construction of the 90-meter viaduct. RVNL has managed to construct approximately 60 meters of viaduct beyond the Metro station at Metropolitan. (Source: ET )