Motorists plying past the Chennai Metro Rail network have flagged the issue of rain water from the pillars falling on the road in some of the locations.
In a bid to improve the safety of motorists and for better upkeep of the pillars, Chennai Metro Rail plans to carry out a comprehensive maintenance of the viaduct along the phase I and phase I extension networks.
The 54-km network comprising the phase I and phase I extension of Chennai Metro Rail has been constructed as a blend of both elevated structures and underground network depending on land, geology and numerous other conditions. For some time now, motorists plying past the Chennai Metro Rail network have flagged the issue of rain water from the pillars falling on the road in some of the locations. The leakage in the viaduct causes inconvenience to them while driving.
R Boopalan, a resident of Tiruvottiyur said, during rains, the water accumulating in the pillars, sometimes falls with a force. It is not only difficult to drive but sometimes dangerous too, he added. “I have witnessed a few motorists losing balance and falling off their vehicles near the Tiruvottiyur Theradi Metro Rail station on a few occasions. This also results in traffic slowing down during rains because vehicles have to carefully drive. It is high time the authorities fix the drain systems in the pillars and plug the leakages,” he said.
Officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) said they would soon start the extensive maintenance work of the viaduct along three stretches—Koyambedu to St Thomas Mount, Chennai airport to Little Mount and New Washermanpet to Wimco Nagar.
“This is a comprehensive maintenance which is routinely carried out and we have invited bids now. It is important to do a periodical check of the piers, girders and the bearings to know the conditions of the structures for safety reasons. We will check the condition of the drain pipes and ensure that the rainwater gets directed into the pipe and is let out at the bottom of the pillars,” an official said. A contractor would be finalised in three months and the work might begin in April, he added.
Published – December 22, 2024 06:45 pm IST