The Times of India 07.08.2012
Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation sleeps over report on condition of Hyderabad flyovers, bridges
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.
