Sreedharan’s report in 2 weeks

Kochi: ‘Metroman’ E. Sreedharan on Monday held a detailed inspection of Palarivattom flyover, which has developed cracks on its girders and piers among other construction discrepancies, following a request from the state government. He is expected to suggest a “solution” in two weeks.

Mr Sreedharan, a civil engineer himself, was accompanied by noted structural engineer Mahesh Tandon besides experts from the Madras and Kanpur IITs in the exercise that lasted for nearly two hours in the morning.

Dr P. Alagusunda-ramoorthy, who heads the IIT Madras team that detected flaws in the construction, briefed Mr Sreedharan about the defects, mainly that of the cracks on girders and piers.

According to sources, the team led by Mr Sreedharan mainly analysed whether the flyover defects can be rectified through repair or it should be demolished and another one constructed.

“Tandon, who had led reconstruction works in many tremor-prone areas, was included to look into this aspect. He is expected to provide input as to whether the defects can be fixed by the ‘bridge rehabilitation’ works,” they said.

After field inspection, a detailed analysis meet was held at DMRC office here attended by representatives from various agencies like the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala (RBDCK), Public Works Department (PWD) and Srihari Consultants (which designed the Edapally and Chambakkara flyovers).

The meet lasted for over four hours in which the findings on construction discrepancies and the various solutions were discussed. A report will be prepared once the input from experts like Tandon is received.

The state government, based on the report, will take a final decision.

Earlier, the inspection by the IIT Madras team had found flaws, including cracks on girders and piers of the flyover. They also pointed out lapses in the bridge design plan and also the construction quality, especially in terms of materials used.

The first phase repair works of the bridge surface is nearly over. The second phase is slated to be taken up after monsoon by September end.

Then cracks on girders and piers will be rectified using the Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) method, also known as Carbon Fibre Wrappings.

The flyover, constructed at a cost of Rs 46 crore, was closed to traffic from May 1 to 30 to facilitate the first phase of maintenance work. This after it developed potholes and the surface became uneven within months of its opening in October 2016. The contractor, Delhi-based RDS Company Ltd, will bear the repair cost.