In view of the unexpected mishap on the new Venduruthy Vikrant Bridge on Saturday, which also damaged a portion of the bridge, a proposal has been mooted to construct fender piles to protect the walls of the bridge.
A team consisting of Commanding Officer INS Venduruthy, Commodore M R Ajaykumar along with PWD Chief Engineer P K Satheeshan and PWD Superintendent Engineer P A Hashim visited the site of damage on Sunday evening.
PWD Executive Engineer Benny was also present. A dredger ‘Bhagwati Prem’, deployed by Cherian Varkey Constructions Company Pvt Ltd, had hit the bridge on Saturday morning. According to Hashim, the proposal to construct the fender piles will be immediately submitted to the state government.
“This is being taken as a precaution measure to avoid such future mishaps. Fender piles will serve as a freestanding protection pile to protect the walls of the bridge from such hits,” he said.
Superficial damage had occurred to the bridge under the impact of the mishap, he said. “We can currently assess only the visible damage. The total damage caused and the cost which will be incurred for the repair of the bridge can be stated after we receive the inquiry report. However, there is noticeable damage to the pile caps, deck slabs and the hand rail of the bridge,” Hashim said. The Navy will bear the cost of the damage, the officers said.
Meanwhile, the PWD will undertake the repair works of the bridge. Since the bridge falls under the notified limits of the Cochin Port Trust, inquiry report into the bridge by the Deputy Conservator of the Port Trust will be submitted within two weeks.
Also, PWD legal experts will submit their inquiry reports within a week, PWD officials said.