Kannur: The railway overbridge built by UDF government in Kannur’s Papinssery has been found with serious structural flaws in its make. The pillars are cracked and mortar from the structure breaks loose. And, not so coincidentally, the overbridge has been constructed by former Palarivattom flyover contractors, the RDS Project Pvt Ltd. The flaws were found by an expert committee as part of Vigilance investigation on the structure.
The bridge construction was inaugurated in June of 2013 by former CM Oomen Chandy. Though the project was time-bound for April , 2015, the remanant works were completed by LDF government in 2017 after which it was laid open to the public. As with Palarivattom flyover, the Papinssery overbridge too developed pillar cracks in just a few months into its commissioning. As heavy vehicles took to the bridge, , the structure gave out deafening sounds and trembled under its weight spilling concrete that broke loose onto the road below cusing potholes there.
TV Rajesh MLA brought the matter to attention of the Assembly following which Minister J Sudhakar had the overbridge inspected by PWD experts and representatives from the contracting company. Vigilance then initiated its probe.
Vigilance Director ordered a detailed inspection that drew on PWD Asst. Executive Engineer, Civil Agencier, Kannur, Head of Civil Engineering Dept at Kannur Govt Engineering College, Officials at PWD’s Quality Control Department, Vigilance , DySP Babbu Peringath, Inspector TP Sumesh. Inspections that began 9.30 am morning lasted up to 2.30 pm. Samples from the bridge have been sent for forensic examination. The test results are awaited to have a clear picturein the matter, , said DySP, Experts from IIT may be drawn in if need be, according to sources..
A 120-crore Project
The project along Papinssery-Pilathara KSTP road comprising Papinsserry, Tavam bridges, Ramapuram bridge and the 21-km stretch of road, shelled out Rs 120 crore to RDS Pvt Ltd. Of this, the Papinssery bridge running 620 metre in length drew used up Rs 40 crore in costs. The overbridge is made of 26 Spans and 23 slabs and is 8.5 m wide. It provides a 7.5 metre passage for vehicles after leaving pavement on its sides. The structural design of the overbridge and 60 percent of its construction was done by UDF government.
