Experts hopeful: Magic boxes technology tried and trusted

Experts hopeful: Magic boxes technology tried and trusted
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: BBMP’s promise to install a series of magic boxes or precast underpasses along Hebbal Road in a record time of 72 hours has cast a spell of scepticism in the minds of many Bangaloreans. Is the project feasible or is the BBMP making a tall claim? But experts sound hopeful. After all, it is not a new technology. It has evolved into a cost-effective and time-saving initiative to ease the traffic mess.
However, the deadline of 72 hours is not for conceiving, executing and completing the entire project. That’s the time needed to put the precast box in place after all the necessary civil works are completed and advance preparations have been made. The 72-hour period is the duration when traffic flow will be affected.
Said M S Sudarshan, MD (technical), Civil Aid Technologies, “The technology has been tried in Malaysia and the US. Apart from time and cost, a precast element ensures better control over quality of concrete, curing and workmanship. However, to accomplish the task, a lot of groundwork is must.’’
Seconding this is Srinivas Murthy, an academician from IISc, who feels that precast underpasses is not a sham. “It can be done as it is now old technology. But the success depends on how good you are at mobilising resources — from finding a crane that can lift 40 tonnes to box jacking and, of course, planning and execution.’’
“One can install an underpass in 72 hours provided the groundwork is through. The traffic flow on the main road can be restored in 72 hours, but traffic through the tunnel will be disrupted for about a week as we need to carve out alternative approach roads, asphalt and putting up ramps,’’ explained Sudarshan.
The Bangalore division of South Western Railways, which has completed building at least 10 railway underbridges in Bangalore based on a similar technology — box pushing type — finds the idea workable. Said Alok Tiwari, senior divisional engineer, SWR, “A big advantage in using precast boxes is that it does not disrupt traffic. The Railways adopted it in 1991 as trains cannot be stalled for building overbridges or underbridges. However, preparation is crucial. Handling equipment like a hydraulic jet, pushing the thrust bed and planning approach roads need expertise and manpower.’’
The technique is futuristic, said Sudarshan adding, “At least 70% of the cost of the underpass can be recovered if and when you decide to dismantle or relocate it. The idea sounds good as the city can be flexible and open to future mega projects that may require dismantling of old bridges and underpasses.’’
toiblr.reporter@timesgroup.com ALL ABOUT THE BOXES
Location: Windsor Manor, BDA junction, Cauvery junction, Sanjaynagar junction, Maharani’s College and KR Circle Cost: Rs 1 crore to Rs 2.5 crore Load-bearing capacity: 120 tonnes Features: Dual carriageway, each underpass to be 15 metres wide and 9 metres high, with unidirectional flow of traffic Casting yards: Okalipuram, Peenya and Hebbal Add-on: Solar lighting, vents for rainwater, pedestrian walkway Work begins: December 15 Deadline: 30 to 45 days