Kochi: Much to the worries of the travelling public, a slight tilt was spotted on the Kochi Metro rail track at Pathadipalam near Edapally.
The Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has however, not yet disclosed the information which has a high security stake.
The KMRL, which confirmed a defect for the track in its preliminary inquiry, has now approached the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) with a request to conduct a detailed study.
The KMRL is also continuing the inspection on its own terms. If the irregularity is found to be serious, the KMRL will be forced to stop the Metro service for a short period for repair works.
The slight bend of the track was noticed on the track lying above the 347th pillar at Pathadipalam.
Metro trains have been proceeding at a slow pace in the area for the last few days after it was noticed. Though the usual speed for metro trains is 35 km per hour, trains now cross the particular pillar only at a speed of 25 km per hour.
Though it was first suspected that the bend was caused to the viaduct, a preliminary inquiry discovered that this was not the case.
The bending can occur due to wear and tear caused to the bush on which the track is fixed. If that is the case, the issue can be resolved by changing the bush. Even if the bending is caused to the viaduct, it can be easily rectified.
But if the tilt occurred due to the bend in the pillar, it is a serious problem. The KMRL suspects that there is a scope for such a scenario.
The bottom part of the pillar was dug up last week in order to check the strength of the foundation. But the inspection has not yet begun as the KMRL is awaiting the arrival of the equipment required for the test.
The DMRL has been informed of the matter. It has a responsibility to intervene as the DMRL supervised the laying of tracks in the 25 km distance from Aluva to Pattah.
A section of the engineers share the optimism that even if there is a bending caused to the pillar, it can be rectified. They also expressed the view that there is a less possibility of occurrence of any kind of damage to the pillar five years after the commissioning of the track.
But if there is a bend, the train services will have to be stopped for a minimum of six months for undertaking full repair work.
KMRL terms it a minor gap
While responding to the news, the KMRL said that it noticed a minor gap between the viaduct and the track at the spot and the matter is being investigated now.
It said that there was no cause of worry. The inspection of the top portion of the pillar is over. A comprehensive inspection of the bottom portion will be undertaken soon.
Till the inspection is over, Metro trains passing through Pathadipalam will move at a slow speed.