BENGALURU: Many residents of Ulsoor panicked as they noticed soil erosion around a Metro pier in the area during BBMP’s stormwater drain (SWD) repair work late on Monday evening.
Many residents and commuters raised concern as an earthmover of the BBMP contractor was digging close to the Metro pier (109A) near Ulsoor Metro station. While the soil next to the pier was exposed, there was no structural damage to the pillar. They said the retaining wall of the drain too was damaged.
“The earth excavator was desilting the SWD and drilling the walls when we suddenly felt a vibration and noticed the foundation of the pillar in the drain,” said BR Chandra, civic activist and ward committee member of Ulsoor.
However, BBMP officials clarified there was nothing to worry.
Sources said the contractor had not intimated BMRCL about the work. “Digging shouldn’t have been taken up near the pillar without permission from BMRCL as digging agencies won’t know where the foundation is, among other things,” a BMRCL source said.
BMRCL officials visited the spot and gave their suggestions to BBMP on the matter. Meanwhile, as a precaution, trains operated at a slower speed of 5kmph near Ulsoor station.
A representative of the BBMP contractor said the pillar’s foundation hasn’t been damaged. “There is no question about the safety of the structure as the piles go at least 10-20m beneath,” he said.
SWD work is part of the chief minister’s Nava Nagarothana scheme, which specifies construction and remodelling of primary and secondary SWDs and bridges at 27 locations in the Challaghatta (C-100) project.
A senior ward engineer said there are other local issues affecting works here. “There is excessive garbage dumped in the SWD and the three vents in it have been affected badly. Work on this has been taken up,” he added.
