Ayesa Engineering Selected to Design MahaMetro’s Longest Bridge in India

The 271-metre-long structure, elevated 16 metres above the existing bridge, will cross the Vena River without intermediate support piers in the river channel.

Ayesa Engineering has been appointed to deliver the structural design of one of the most complex bridges along the Nagpur Metro alignment in India. The project involves a balanced cantilever bridge, elevated 16 metres above an existing structure, spanning the Vena River with a total length of 271 metres.

The bridge forms part of the MahaMetro network, a major urban transport programme supporting the delivery of safe, sustainable mass transit across Maharashtra’s growing cities. The Nagpur Metro network serves around 100,000 passengers per day on average, with higher ridership recorded during peak periods.

At 271 metres, the structure will become MahaMetro’s longest bridge, surpassing the existing CLC bridges at Kamptee Uppalwadi at 258 metres and Cotton Market at 231 metres in Nagpur. The bridge will be constructed without intermediate piers using segmental balanced cantilever construction, an advanced technique that allows segments to be extended symmetrically from both ends of the supporting structures.

The balanced cantilever approach is well suited to long-span bridges, enabling construction to progress from each pier while maintaining structural equilibrium. By eliminating the need for temporary supports beneath the deck, the method allows the river channel to remain unobstructed and reduces disruption for commuters, river users and local residents.

The bridge comprises a 120-metre central span, with approach lengths of 79 metres toward the city of Nagpur and 72 metres toward Hingna. Additional 15-metre sections at each end will accommodate connections to the existing road network. Temporary road widening has been implemented at both approaches to maintain traffic flow during construction, and pile load testing is already underway.

Ayesa is delivering the bridge’s detailed structural design for M/s Kalpataru Projects International Limited, the contractor, in accordance with international engineering standards. The team will also provide ongoing design and technical support to both the contractor and MahaMetro throughout the project.

The bridge is scheduled for completion within 18 months and will form part of the Hingna Corridor of the Nagpur Metro network. Construction across the Hingna section is progressing steadily, with approximately 15 percent of the total works now complete. The bridge connects to the Reach 3A Hingna section, which is 6.7 kilometres long and will include seven stations.

With decades of experience in bridge and major structures design, Ayesa has supported some of the world’s most demanding transport programmes. Its bridge portfolio spans long-span crossings, elevated metro viaducts and complex urban interfaces, underpinned by multidisciplinary expertise and international engineering standards.