Challenge 1

Ans 1) Infrastructure serves as a backbone for the development of the country. Cities and urban areas being economic capital requires a proper mode of transportation which go hand in hand with development of city and serve the purpose of transportation. Just like in ancient times cites grows around the river banks in similar way in modern times cites and development around the Metros is commendable.

Conventional rail system had some drawbacks which are well taken care by the Metros. Conventional rail system required heavy tracks, ballast, sleeper and electrical system which in turn required to acquire lots of land which is very difficult task in already developed cities. Whereas metros required very less land and its interconnectivity develops a system of easy access to destination. Thereby creating an ecosystem which serves a purpose for the city and urban areas where the roads and structures already constructed for the city are very less affected by newly developed transportation system.

Ans2) India being growing economy and is among top 5 growing economy worldwide. This calls for lots of investment followed by development. Just like other major metro cites like Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata other small cites are seeing many major metro projects. As per the govt survey and projection following projects are in operation and plan.

Further explaining about the metros in Mumbai, we can expect a relief to the saturated city from regular traffic jams and inconvenience by inaugurations of metros in the city. Also, upcoming metros need to be planned in such way that over expanding city gets proper connectivity and serve the purpose. Due to increase in FSI the vertical growth of the city in terms of habitants will increase which will carry along vehicles and urgent need of transportation system. Therefore, to provide balance between real-estate expansion and infrastructure a proper planning must be done for upcoming development.

Ans 3) Delhi being National capital and state has many responsibilities. Apart from this responsibility it also serves a gateway to many underdeveloped and developing states around it. Due which for education, tourism, medical facilities and jobs opportunity a huge population migrated to this place. Unlike other metro cites, Delhi do not have its Local rail network for serving the population demand. Therefore, the roadways and the Metro has to manage this complex movement. Being national capital VIP movements are very common which causes several setbacks for common people in using roadways. Also due to heavy jams there is no reliability of reaching on time. Metro rails being reliable, cheaper and timesaving mode of transport. Hence it is the busiest route and lifeline for Delhi.

Ans 4) Components of metro are as follows-

1)Foundation system- Comprising of piles and pile cap or shallow foundation depending on the soil parameters and load acting.

2)Pier and pier cap-Vertical member, comprising of various cross-sections depending on requirement. It supports the superstructure and provide height for metro corridor to run.

3) U Girder- These are u shaped girders which act as carriageway for metro rails and superstructure arrangements comprising of mechanical and electrical items. Design is such that vertical wall acts as noise barrier. They are usually prestressed structures.

4) Bearings- Bearings are provided to connect superstructure to substructure and transfer its load.

5) Station Building- Its building structure which are planned at metro stations comprising of various floors for commutators movement.

Ans 5) Elevated and underground metros to be planned depends on various factors as follows.

Ground profile and soil data-As per the soil data available it can be easily decided which type will be convenient, cost effective and construction friendly.

Underground facilities and other structures in Vicinity- when there are too many underground facilities running it becomes difficult to construct underground metro.

Ans 6) DBR is design basis report it is made at very initial phase, after post award of project.

It is based on various codal provisions, Employer requirement and construction practices. It is a document which covers all the design related parameters.

Ans 7) DBR for elevated metros plays important role because metro projects require various codal requirement and guidelines for its construction which needs to be mentioned in DBR. Also, it plays as an important document when it comes to legal and contractual procedures.

Ans8) Activities before construction of Metros are as follows

1. Topographical survey
2. Geotechnical survey
3. Survey for underground and overhead service lines
4. Planning of alignment of Metro
5. Creating design basis
6. Land acquisition

Ans9) Topographical survey consist of identifying various levels along the planned alignment of the metro as well as utilities, services and structures. Metro projects whether elevated or underground are planned across the city were already existing structures are there which need not get affected by construction of metro at the same time for designing, various levels and inputs are needed which are covered in topo survey.

Ans10) Hindrances that can come while planning metro between two stions are as follows.

a) Overhead bridges.

1. b) Building structures
2. c) Pipelines or service lines

d)Other metros crossing.

1. e) Subways/Railways/Roadways

11)Underground utilities like internet cables, Strom water drainage, water supply system, sewer system, Gas pipe lines, Optical fibre, Electric lines are some of the underground services.

12) For underground metros a designer should be well aware of the soil parameters and water level and other environmental parameters, accordingly a solution shod be provided. Underground facilities and crossing over should be avoided in the alignment and thereby balance between foreseen challenges and alignment has to be maintained.

13)Launching of U gider over the pier using cranes and EOT is known as feeding.

14) Usually in cites there is very low space to maintain continues supply of concrete at working site.

Time cycle of project gets reduced by using precast members.