Underpass work going on at brisk pace: BBMP

Underpass work going on at brisk pace: BBMP

Staff Reporter

‘Pull-out’ test performed under expert guidance

Restoration of utility lines may take sometime

BANGALORE: After being affected by the transport strike on Tuesday, work on the “ready-to-fit” underpass continued smoothly on Wednesday. With all the concrete elements in place and soil-nailing done on one side of the trench to strengthen the earth, Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials carried out a “pull-out” test to ascertain whether the nailing functioned as per the design.

BBMP Technical Adviser R. Jaiprasad, who supervised the “pull-out” test and the external “post-tensioning” of the concrete elements (to ensure that they have been fitted properly into the earth), told The Hindu that these tests were recommended by Prof G.L. Sivakumar Babu, Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering of Indian Institute of Science.

“Work is on at a brisk pace and we are filling in the joints between the concrete elements by using epoxy, a cement and adhesive paste to ensure there are no gaps. We are doing our best to complete work before the extended 10-day deadline,” Mr Jaiprasad said.

BBMP Chief Engineer (Major Roads) K.S. Krishna Reddy said with the work going on without any obstacles on Wednesday, the officials had taken it easy now. “We are now concentrating on other projects,” he said.

As the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) was digging one side of Sankey Road to lay a new sanitary pipeline, restoration of the road would take some time, Mr. Reddy added.