This story is from December 16, 2018

Viaduct flaw: BMRCL to replace bearings on pillar

Deputy chief minister G Parameshwara on Saturday directed the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) to inspect all the cross beams along the Metro routes to ensure safety.
Viaduct flaw: BMRCL to replace bearings on pillar
Photo for representative purpose only
BENGALURU: Deputy chief minister G Parameshwara on Saturday directed the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) to inspect all the cross beams along the Metro routes to ensure safety.
The directive came after Parameshwara visited the Trinity Metro station on MG Road where honeycomb formation (concrete distress) was detected last week on pier (pillar) No.
155.
dycm

Parameshwara said BMRCL will replace bearings and strengthen the cross beam in the viaduct above the pier. “We have decided to replace the bearings instead of repairing it.”
Bearings sit between the girder and pier, mainly to restrict movement in the structure and absorb stress generated by trains travelling above.
Parameshwara along with BMRCL managing director Ajay Seth and other BMRCL officials travelled on a Metro train from Vidhana Soudha to Trinity station on the Purple Line and assured commuters that there’s no need to worry about the safety of the structure.
“There is nothing wrong with the pillar. There was a honeycomb formation in the joint of the cross beam. Experts from
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) along with our technical team are now assessing the situation and overseeing the repair work,” he said.
He said action will be initiated based on the officials’ report. “We’ve to find out whether contractors are responsible for this or it was the negligence of officials.”
BMRCL noticed the honeycomb formation on Sunday night and started repair work on Tuesday night.
DyCM visit affects traffic
Motorists travelling from Trinity Circle to MG Road on Saturday morning had a tough time as traffic was blocked in the wake of G Parameshwara’s inspection. BMRCL had barricaded the affected area which had already shrunk the road width.
Many passengers questioned the timing of the VIP visit. “Why did he come to inspect here at 10am when there is no repair work? He should have visited in the night when traffic is less and the work is on. These VIP inspections during peak hours will only inconvenience passengers,” one commuter rued.
Shortage of structural engineers?
BMRCL said they do structural inspections once a year or every two years. Now, they have decided to conduct non-destructive tests more frequently. However, Bengaluru Metro Rail Employees Union (BMREU) said there is a shortage of civil engineers to conduct such inspections and quality checks. Union vice-president Surya Narayana Murthy said BMRCL lacks qualified engineers to ensure safety and maintenance of structures. “These types of structural defects could have been identified much earlier if there were adequate engineers and regular inspections conducted,” he said.
According to him, it is poor quality of bearings, not honeycomb formation, that caused the trouble. Murthy blamed a section of engineers in the BMRCL for installation of poor quality bearings. “The government should make errant officials accountable for compromising the safety of passengers.”
However, Ajay Seth claimed they have adequate engineers and they also take inputs from experts.
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