The Times of India 08.11.2010
Stability report on city bridges yet to be submitted
HYDERABAD: Though a survey was taken up for checking structural stability and safety aspects of flyovers, bridges and causeways in Greater Hyderabad a year ago, the final report is yet to be submitted by Bangalore-based Stup Consultants.
After scaffolding of the then under-construction Punjagutta flyover collapsed and a series of flyover mishaps, doubts were expressed on the condition of bridges, which were constructed a few decades ago, in the city.
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) had decided to go ahead with a detailed survey of all bridges after the Telugu Thalli flyover at Tank Bund developed ragged gaps due to distressed joints on the carriageway. The defects were rectified by the Corporation in 2009.
After inviting tenders last year, the Rs 50 lakh contract of making an inventory of the infrastructure and investigating their current status was entrusted to Bangalore-based Stup Consultants.
Officials said there are 45 flyovers, Rail Over Bridges (ROB), causeways and other bridges in Greater Hyderabad. They include flyovers at Tarnaka, Masab Tank, YMCA-Secunderabad, CTO-Secunderabad, Old Airport-Begumpet, Telugu Thalli junction, Basheerbagh and Narayanguda. The ROBs at Lalapet, Khairatabad and Begumpet were part of this study. Major bridges, which are more than 60 metres long, like Imliban, Nayapul bridge (old and new), Muslimjung bridge (old) and Puranapul bridge. Two causeways at Moosarambagh was also checked by the consultant.
"Many flyovers and bridges were constructed by the erstwhile Hyderabad Urban Development Authority and Roads and Buildings (R&B) department. These bridges have to be checked periodically, but it was not happening," a senior GHMC official said.
Officials said the consultant had to submit all reports within four months. However, many reports were yet to be submitted to the corporation. Based on the survey report, repairs and other works, if needed, would be carried out by the corporation.
Sources said survey of about 25 flyovers and bridges were completed and the consultant submitted reports to the Corporation. The reports said most flyovers and bridges do not have any major problems except minor defects at expansion joints and bearings of some flyover need to be replaced.
Recently, the GHMC had carried out repairs of the Dabeerpura ROB and Khairatabad flyover, whose expansion joints were repaired. When contacted, GHMC chief engineer R Dhan Singh said the consultant had submitted almost all reports, but some were returned as they were not comprehensive and had not fulfilled all aspects of the survey.
