Now, advisor for flyover maintenance

Now, advisor for flyover maintenance
Deccan Herald

Nearly eight years after Bangalore got the first of its flyovers, the appointment of a consultant exclusively for the structural maintenance of the City’s grade separators (flyovers and underpasses) is under the active consideration of the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike.

It is learnt that a proposal to the effect was cleared recently by the BMP’s Technical Advisory Group and the request for proposals (RFP) will be called shortly.

“We are looking for a consultant who will advise us on all aspects of maintenance of grade separators in a technically acceptable way,” official sources privy to the TAC meeting said.

Confirming the same, BMP Commissioner K Jairaj said the work will be “outsourced.”

In the absence of a ready cost estimate on such structural maintenance, the chief engineers have been asked to survey and report on the flyovers and underpasses in their respective jurisdictions, the commissioner said.

BMP’s Technical Advisor Jayaprasad noted that a system on maintenance of grade separators and subways is already in place in Mumbai. The same is being studied for working out the terms of reference for the contract, he said.

Among the hitherto known technical problems with Bangalore’s flyovers is the worn-out expansion joints of the Sirsi Circle flyover. These rubber-based expansion joints are not locally available and temporary arrangements have often seen plain concrete slabs or tar in their place. Mr Jayaprasad noted that maintenance contract can address these issues. “We can get them re-designed locally,” he said.

Experts note that damage to the bearings that act as cushions between the piers and via-duct slabs and the expansion joints between via-duct slabs, the catch drains that drain out water and development of cracks or plant growth in the retaining walls are some of the day-to-day structural maintenance issues concerning the grade separators.

It is noted that latent cracks that can develop in a concrete structure becomes visible long after the damage is sufficiently done, and that alone should underline the need for expert help and advice in the maintenance of grade separators.

As per the prevalent contract clauses, the maintenance of a grade separator is the responsibility of the builder-party until a year after the completion of the work.

Thereafter it is the division level responsibility of the BMP engineers.

The BMP, however, seems to be going it alone on maintenance contract though the BDA too has many grade separators on hand. “We have held no discussions yet, but there is no reason why BDA and BMP cannot arrive at a joint maintenance contract,” sources said.

MORE OUTSOURCING

Not just the maintenance of flyovers and underpasses, but the maintenance of a host of civic amenities like community halls, parks and playgrounds are also sought to be outsourced by the BMP.

According to Commissioner K Jairaj, it includes even the Town Hall. A meeting in this regard is likely to be held early week.

The BMP has already outsourced the maintenance of cleanliness in some of the BMP-run hospitals and it is working well, Mr Jairaj said.