A notable milestone in KR Puram to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) Line of Bengaluru was accomplished when the maiden pile cap was completed for the Bagalur Cross Metro station.

Six piles, which are concrete foundation elements that extend 25 m below the surface, are covered by the cap. In the 17 stations along this 37-km Phase-2B route, about 200 pile caps would be installed.

The contract for 15 stations on this line, broken up into three packages, has been given to NCC Ltd. Except for a 900 m section underground in the final stop at KIA, the station is mostly elevated.

A senior official told the media that this station is included in Package 2 of the Airport Line, which runs from Hebbal to Bagalur.

All three of the line's packages have the viaduct's pile cap, where the rails are laid. But this is the first time a station's cap has been prepared. Piling is a vital component of station building because underground work presents a huge obstacle.

The official informed that piling is essential for a sturdy foundation since it transfers the weight of the structures above to the soil depth. Each pile below the cap is spaced three metres apart from the others. There should be between 7 and 14 pile caps in a station.

If everything goes according to plan, it takes between 20 and 25 days to prepare a pile cap.

At Hebbal, Kodigehalli, Jakkur Cross, Yelahanka, and Bagalur Cross, this line features five elevated stations. Only at Bagalur Cross on March 27 was the first viaduct pile cover for the Airport Line put in place.

The official added the difficulties encountered at Bagalur Cross during piling by stating that the ground profile proved difficult. Extreme changes in the land below caused it to be quite high in some places and very low in others. It was difficult to bring them up to par, he continued.

While Package 3 from Bagalur Cross to KIA already has 30 pile caps ready for its bridge, Package One from KR Puram to Hebbal and Package 2 have a few pier caps prepared for the viaduct.

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