Sheshadri Road underpass poses risk to motorists

Y Maheswara Reddy | NT

The underpass constructed at Sheshadri Road and Maharani College Junction, that was opened to traffic in 2009, is now in a bad shape. The concrete roof has cracked and at some potions one can even see the rusted steel bars.

According to Concrete Preservation Technologies, spalling occurs on exterior slabs when water that is trapped in the concrete goes through multiple freezes and thaws. When water freezes it expands by about 9 per cent, which creates tremendous pressure inside the slab. The rusted steel bars would weaken the structure.

The underpass was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on June 14, 2009. S Subramanya was the BBMP Commissioner while Dileep Rao was the administrator. Many politicians, including ministers S Suresh Kumar, Ramachandra Gowda and others attended the function.

If the condition of the underpass is anything to go by, it seems the BBMP authorities have forgotten about the existence of the underpass even though white topping of the stretch between SBM Junction and the underpass junction is in progress.

Thousands of motorists use this underpass on a daily basis. It is a major link for vehicles proceeding from Anand Rao Circle towards K.R. Circle and the vehicles proceeding towards SBM Circle from Chalukya Circle. As of now, only vehicles from SBM Circle towards Chalukya Circle are allowed due to the ongoing white topping work.

Many motorists have expressed displeasure and shock over the pathetic condition of the underpass and also the delay in completing the white topping work.

Coming down heavily on the BBMP engineers to sub-standard work at the underpass, HM Venkatesh, a social activist, said that substandard work showcases rampant corruption among the BBMP engineers who are least bothered about ensuring quality in infrastructure projects. “I hope the BBMP engineers visit the spot and take measures to ensure the underpass is in a good condition,” said Venkatesh.