Traffic through the one-year-old overbridge next to Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal was banned since Tuesday evening, reportedly after motorists complained of unusual jerks when they passed over the structure.
The bridge was built by Cochin Port Trust using a Central grant and handed over to NHAI in February 2018. This is the second of newly-built bridges in Kochi to be closed to vehicles after the Palarivattom flyover, which has developed cracks on its girder and pier caps, was shut down for repair works in May. Surface cracks at many places were detected a week ago over Kannangattu Bridge that links KUFOS and Edakochi, and also on the Kundannoor-Nettoor bridge.
NHAI sources said that the bridge parallel to the Container Transshipment Terminal has a three-year defect-liability period. “The contractor who built it would have to remedy defects, if any, as early as possible at his expense. A team of NHAI officials have been sent to inspect the structure. Their report is awaited,” they added. The 400-m-long bridge was built to prevent traffic congestion and chaos caused when container-laden lorries exiting the transshipment terminal join regular traffic through Goshree bridges, port sources said.
“I was surprised at the bridge being barricaded on both sides in the evening, since I went to the city through the structure in the morning,” said Majnu Komath, chairman of Goshree Action Council which spearheaded the agitation to realise the trio of Goshree bridges.
Sinking noticed
A slight sinking has been observed in the approach portion of the bridge. An initial inspection shows that it is due to differential settlement of the approach portion, official sources in the port said.
The main structure is intact. The design consultant will carry out a detailed inspection of the bridge on Wednesday. A third party expert consultation will be done subsequently, if required.
