Nishatganj flyover needs repairs: PWD
Potholes created by encroachers near pillars, constant leakage in pipelines affecting strength of bridge: Experts
LUCKNOW: A three-member team of PWD experts inspected the Nishatganj flyover on Thursday, after locals complained of some crust falling off piers a few days back.
After spending nearly three hours at the site, the team was upset to see a number of encroachments under the flyover, which could affect the strength of its pillars.
The experts said encroachers have been spilling water into the base of pillars for years and this could weaken the pillars.
“The team also found that constant leakage from Jal Sansthan pipelines has resulted in decay of cement and rusting of iron at some places. This has also affected the strength of the flyover. The bridge surely needs repairs. But what kind of repairs would be decided after the joint inspection of flyover with bridge corporation experts. This inspection would be carried out soon,” said Jai Singh Maurya, executive engineer and project manager, PWD.
He said, “I cannot comment on the ban of heavy vehicles on the Nishatganj flyover, which connects Badshah Nagar and Mahanagar on two sides. These things would be decided by experts after the next inspection. There is a possibility that the joint team may decide to call experts from CRRI for taking such a decision as in the case of Aishbagh flyover.”
The Nishatganj flyover has two cracked pier brackets on the Badshah Nagar side, where encroachments are rampant.
The road under the flyover is dotted with potholes created by encroachers for their convenience. This has created some cracks on the piers alongside the road where vegetable and fruit vendors are based.
‘Pucca’ encroachments on both sides have also aggravated the condition and these encroachers may have to be removed, said another official of PWD.
However, experts said that the joints of the pipeline are subject to leakage when heavy traffic moves on the flyover. It creates a frequency which opens up the joints, which results in leakage of water that destroys cement. And this water starts rusting the iron on which the bridge is based.
Recently, district authorities had banned movement of heavy vehicles on the Aishbagh flyover, as some of its piers were found weak after an inspection.
Now, the authorities have swung into action to restore its structural strength.