JU expert team inspects collapsed flyover

A six-member team of Jadavpur University on Monday visited Ultadanga flyover, a portion of which collapsed on Sunday. The members of the university's structural engineering department, led by Biswajit Shom, inspected the site and after investigation he told reporters that there was major flaw in the designing of the bridge.

Shom said that a stronger steel guard was needed to protect the base as it is a curved bridge. This might have led to the collapse of the bridge.

Regarding maintenance, Shom said, "Till now we have not received any information that lack of maintenance has resulted in such a collapse. We are investigating the cause of this one."

According to the guidelines issues by the state government, the maximum weight limit to be carried on a flyover was 100 tonne. The overloaded truck which is supposed to have triggered the collapse was carrying marble weighing 28 tonne. The engineers have, however, not yet divulged details of the cause of the collapse of the flyover.

Following the incident, KMDA officials have issued a notice saying that vehicles carrying a maximum weight of 20 tonne can ply on the flyovers at a speed of 30 km per hour.

Although one flank of the bridge which connects bypass with the airport has been kept open, most vehicles preferred to ply below the flyover, leading to heavy traffic congestion in the morning.

The state public enterprise department has instructed the implementing agency - Macintosh Burn - to prepare a list of the names of the engineers and officers who were involved in preparing the bridge during the Left Front regime.

The Jadavpur University team led by Anupama Basu inspected the spot and they have collected various specimens of the nut bolts and ball bearings used. They said after chemical tests they would be able to confirm whether lack of maintenance has resulted in the collapse. They also inspected the culvert near the flyover.

ALSO READ

Had meeting with Trinamool MPs before leaving state, Sen tells police

Cong rallies demanding CBI probe

Mamata Banerjee to fund election campaign with proceeds of her paintings

Cops take Debjani to Saradha head office, seize documents and hard discs