Even as a photograph of a gap between two girders of Mumbai's first flyover at Kemp's Corner sparked panic across social media, civic commissioner Ajoy Mehta attempted to downplay it, saying "there is nothing wrong at all" and attributing it to "an old design fault". Through the gap, one can see uneven surfaces on the two sides of the 53-year-old bridge that is flanked by Altamount Road, Breach Candy, Warden Road, Pedder Road and Nepean Sea Road.
The BMC says the flyover is strong enough to take load. "There is no problem with the Kemp's Corner flyover and the two girders are intact with support," said SO Kori, Chief Engineer (Bridges), BMC.
"This is an old flyover. Earlier, the engineers used to retain gaps in the expansion joints, but keep the two girders intact using metal plates. In this case, there appears to be a gap and the authorities need to look into it," said SN Patankar, former chief engineer, BMC.
Meanwhile, Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray stated on social media that he has spoken to Mehta about the photograph. "The concern is legitimate. I request everyone not to panic, as the alignment of the joint has a fault of leveling since its construction in 1965. However, the BMC will carry out an audit again soon and take necessary steps if any for safety of our citizens," he said.
Work on this project was started in April 1964, and it was opened to motorists on April 14, 1965.
JOINT EXPANSION PROBLEM SINCE CONSTRUCTION
- In a letter to the BMC commissioner in 1990, the flyover consultant claimed that he had a problem with the expansion joint since it was constructed.
- As per the letter, there was problem of fitting the correct type of joint detail between the pre-stressed and RCC portions of the deck. But, since the correct type of material would only be available in another three to four months and the BMC was keen to throw it open to public immediately, it was sidelined. The consultant also warned that the asphalting work could not solve the bump issue at this flyover over a sustained period.
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 "Kemp's Corner flyover")
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