Hole in Janakpuri flyover

The single-side flyover near Janakpuri District Centre, for those coming from Uttam Nagar and headed towards Tilak Nagar has been closed for traffic, reports HT Correspondent.

Notwithstanding who noticed the defect first, the single-side flyover near Janakpuri District Centre — for those coming from Uttam Nagar and headed towards Tilak Nagar — has been closed for traffic.

HT Image

This means increased congestion at the mouth of the flyover, and on the road too, for those coming from Uttam Nagar.

Repair work on the flyover will last for almost 10 days, which means increased traffic snarls at the T-junction below.

The Uttar Pradesh State Bridge Corporation (UPSBC) has started work and torn open a chunk of the floor. “The entire lantern will have to be put in anew. That would take three-four days but the road will be ready for use only after 10 days,” an official from the UPSBC said on condition of anonymity.

“We were carrying out annual inspection when we noticed the crack. Considering that it is a serious matter, we started repairing it immediately,” the official told Hindustan Times.

Meanwhile, as all traffic was diverted on the surface, the T-point saw an increased congestion. “Apart from deploying additional staff, we also changed the signal timings to accommodate the huge volume during evening peak hours,” said a traffic official. “A small slab fell off from below and the mesh of iron bars was exposed. Soon, even the tar fell off from above and it became a see-through hole,” traffic officials said.

Although road signs about the closure of the flyover have been put up, commuters were caught unawares. “Will anybody tell me what is happening?” asked Gaurav Maggon, Sales Manager with Aviva Life Insurance. “If we have to use the road below, God save us. It is going to be a mess,” added Maggon.

Agreed Satvinder Girisha, who travels regularly from Uttam Nagar to Janakpuri. “Now we will have to face the red light and there is also this divider ahead so no U-turn. Plus, the increased traffic snarls as the volume will almost double.”

MCD said its field staff noticed the defect during inspection Monday evening and immediately got in touch with the UPSBC officials. “Responding to MCD’s call, the UPSBC officials started repair work this morning,” MCD said in a release.