Triggeringpanic among the commuters, the BMC flyover late Tuesday evening developed a40-ft-long crack and depressions due to which the vehicular traffic wasreportedly stopped to pass through. Not only did the flyoverdevelop a long crack, but concrete beneath it also became loose.
Asper the eye witnesses, a major tragedy has been averted as people reported thecrack on time and police too reached the spot immediately. Besides, policepersonnel remained at the site till morning to keep a check onthe route.
Theresidents also alleged the poor quality of material used, could be one of thereasons behind flyover developing cracks within 8-9 years. They said that theflyover since long was having cracks, but the authorities concerned paid noheed towards its maintenance. “Now when a 40 ft long crack has developed, ithas awakened the authorities. God Forbid, if any accident would have takenplace, who’s to be blamed then”, questioned Pritpal, a resident.
Asper information procured by TrueScoop from the officials, this flyover wasbuilt in 2010 by the Jalandhar Improvement Trust at the cost of Rs 20 crore.Reportedly, teams of MC, JIT and a technical team from Chandiagrh have visitedthe site to ascertain the reason behind the massive crack.
Meanwhile, when questioned the quality and defects liability period of the flyover from the officials of Municipal Corporation Jalandhar, they said though they had taken the required action, the Jalandhar Improvement Trust (JIT) is answerable for the liability and quality part, on theother hand the officials of Trust are saying soon after the completion offlyover in 2011, it was handed over to Municipal Corporation Jalandhar forfurther maintenance.
MCCommissioner Karunesh Sharma, who was present on the spot this afternoon, whilebriefing the media, said that overloaded vehicles causes’ pressure on theflyover surface sometimes and it develops cracks. “Technical team has alreadyvisited, and within 4 to 5 days will repair the cracks”, he added.