The concrete core of the 120-tonne Anna Arch stands exposed as workers for the third day chiselled away cement art and brick works.
The men have been working through Ayudha Puja and Vijaydasami to complete the repairs within the stipulated three months.
The repair work has been necessitated after the State government decided to retain the arches instead of demolishing them to make way for a Rs. 117 crore-flyover being constructed by the Highways Department at the junction of Poonamallee High Road and Anna Nagar 3 Avenue.
A sling rope made of steel that had held the arch from the crane up for over a month, hangs from one side as the weight is now g borne by steel cribs and wooden blocks.
Repair works are being carried out by Vijay Nirman Company. After the brick work is removed from either side, the damaged concrete, too, would be removed from two feet above and below the point where the arch was cut last month.
The steel rods in the interior of the structure that are now exposed will be cleaned, welded, clamped and lapped, thereby providing mechanical stabilisation. If required, additional reinforcement using chemical bonding would be done. Fresh concrete will be used to form the shape of the arch. Steam curing would be done by pouring hot water on the concrete to speed up the process of curing the concrete, the sources added.
The next step will be the restoration of the art work. The arch on the other side, too, would be spruced up. Originally, the art works were made by Ganapathi Sthapathi. A total of 17 dome-like structures dot the top of each of the arches.
