Bengaluru metro pillar cracks due to faulty construction

Bengaluru: Faulty construction was the reason behind the cracks that developed in a metro rail pillar near to the Trinity Station here, said an inspection report.

Ultrasonic testing method was used to detect damage in the structure, and it was found that erroneous cement-water-sand ratio led to fissures in pillar number 155. The cracks in the pillar were found on Monday.

However, the other metro pillars were safe and strong, said Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) managing director Ajay Seth. The pillars and bridges in the 42-km stretch, which comes under the first phase of metro service, had been thoroughly tested, he added.

Speed curbs to continue

The speed restrictions for the metro trains on the busy Mysuru Road-Baiyappanahalli route in the purple line will continue for some more days. The maximum speed limit between Trinity Station and MG Road Station is 15km/hour, and metro services were made available every three minutes on Thursday.

10 days to complete repair works

It will take 10 days, three days to fill the gaps and another seven days to test the strength of the pillar, to finish the repair works, BMRCL informed. The corporation has sought the help of experts at the Indian Institute of Science and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.

Gridlock on MG Road

There was severe traffic congestion on MG Road as barricades were placed near to the Trinity metro station. Though more traffic police personnel were posted on MG Road to eliminate traffic jams, a long line of vehicles could be seen from Trinity Station to Mayo Hall for two days running. The traffic police have informed that parking was strictly prohibited along MG Road.

Rubbishes social media propaganda

The BMRCL categorically stated that the Bengaluru metro was safe and dismissed the reports circulating on the socials media that the metro trains were unsafe and people shouldn’t use them. There are also reports that vehicles should not be driven on roads below the metro pillars.

Ajay Seth said that there was no cause for concern and the metro trains were running on schedule. Legal action would be initiated against those indulging in spreading false information, he added.