HYDERABAD: Even a year after a report on the condition of nearly 40
flyovers, rail over bridges (ROBs) and other bridges, suggested repairs,
the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is sitting on the
report. This despite the consultant, who carried out the survey,
recommended certain immediate measures for flyovers, but GHMC has not
initiated any action.

Some flyovers and bridges were constructed
by the erstwhile Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (Huda) and Roads
and Buildings (R&B) departments. Since the repairs might incur cost
of several crores of rupees, the corporation is hesitating to take up
repairs.

Stup Consultants was engaged by the GHMC two years ago
to conduct an inventory-cum-condition survey to collect detailed data
for all bridges, RoBs and flyovers as many of the structures were over a
decade old. The consultant was asked to collect information about their
general condition.

Of the about 40 bridges and flyovers, almost
all reports were received a year ago. The inventory reports revealed
that many bridges had problems and attention is required like wearing
coat joint, expansion joints (gap between two slabs), pedestals, bearing
pads and hairline cracks on main girders. Officials said problems in
wearing coat, expansion joints were normal in bridges and flyovers and
could be rectified by taking up regular maintenance work.

The report pointed out that Masab Tank,
Narayanguda, Telugu Talli flyover, RoB at Lalapet and Khairatabad need
urgent repairs. The corporation then asked for a detailed report on
problems, which was also subsequently submitted.

Sources said Masab Tank, Basheerbagh, Narayanguda
and Telugu Talli flyovers were constructed by the erstwhile Huda and
RoB at Lalapet was built by R&B department. Khairatabad flyover,
which was constructed in early 1990s, also had problems in expansion
joints and cracks on piers which were attended by the GHMC and South
Central Railways twice in the last two years. Now, the flyover needs
similar repairs.

Telugu Talli flyover
had repair issues within four years of it being opened to traffic. The
flyover had to be closed for a few days in 2009 when its expansion
joints were repaired.

With regards to flyovers like Masab Tank,
Narayanguda and Basheerbagh, GHMC officials said since the flyovers were
built by the urban authority they should take up repairs. Similarly,
the Lalapet bridge repair works need to be taken up by R&B
department. “Since HMDA has not officially transferred maintenance of
the flyover to the GHMC, the corporation is planning to write a letter
to the HMDA,” GHMC engineer-in-chief R Dhan Singh told TOI.