Commuters passing through Varthur bridge will have to endure the wobbly ride for two more months. While the repair was expected to be completed within a fortnight from the day the work began on June 11, there has already been a delay of over three months.
The civic body took up repairs after commuters complained that the bridge had developed cracks and that they could sense vibrations while passing on the bridge.
According to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike officials, part of the repair work has been completed while the rest would take another two months. “We needed to change the bearings, which have been manufactured and are ready to be installed. The bridge will have to be lifted before the bearings are changed. This is a tedious and risky job. Traffic regulation will also be a challenge,” a senior BBMP engineer said. Apart from repairing the existing bridge, the civic body is also constructing a new bridge next to it. This will be completed by January, officials said.
‘Wobbling has increased’
Meanwhile, residents who have been complaining about the cracks in this bridge for three years, said the vibrations have increased since the repair was initiated.
“It would have been fine had they completed it. However, the wobbling has only increased since the work has been stopped mid-way,” said Jagadish Reddy, warden, Varthur lake.
He added that the civic body had been promising to complete it within a few weeks but they had not seen any progress.
“Every time we ask them, they tell us that it will take a week or two. However, from what appears, the work is far from complete.”
‘Only 45 days needed’
R.K. Jaigopal, member, bridge specification and standards, who had given a status report on the bridge to the BBMP, said the entire process would not take more than 45 days, even if the work was done at a slow pace. The report recommended that the BBMP seal the cracks and change the bearings. As a precautionary measure, heavy vehicles were prohibited from driving on this bridge until it was repaired.
