BMRCL pillar collapse due to non-abidance of proper methodology: IISc experts

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: A day after Bangalore Metro Railway Corporation Limited (BMRCL) Managing Director Anjum Parvez’s appearance before the city police in connection with the pillar collapse, Indian Institute of Science (IISC) experts here on Sunday blamed the accident that killed a mother and her toddler on the inadequate support structure for the reinforcement cage.

The probe report by experts prepared under the supervision of Professor Chandra Kishen noted that the steel bars to fix an 18 metre-tall reinforcement cage was only 12m in length and two rods had to be joined to make it 18m.

It also identified that there was a gap in the structure that led to the collapse of the pillar. However, the report did not blame anyone for the accident. Professor Kishen further said the mishap could have been averted had the construction works followed a standard methodology. However, he ruled out any possibility of poor-quality materials being used.

“This could have been avoided if the statement of methodology had been formulated and clearly defined. This is important for projects which face strong winds and rainfall, and also for tall structures,” Professor Kishen told the reporters.

After visiting the accident spot earlier this month, the IISc expert pointed out that the temporary support structure around the reinforcement cage was placed there for too long, which should have been removed quickly. The report also suggested a slew of measures to improve safety and work standards including the deployment of workers with at least 5-10 years of experience and safety exams for junior engineers.

A 28-year old woman, Tejaswini, and her two-andhalf-year-old son Vihan lost their lives after the iron pillar fell on them while passing through the Outer Ring Road near HBR Layout, on January 10. The woman was on a two-wheeler along with her husband and another child who miraculously escaped with minor injuries on the day