The Delhi Government's Public Works Department (PWD) on Tuesday said the Bhikaji Cama flyover, constructed by the PWD in 2002, is "completely safe for traffic movement and approach ramp will be repaired and restored shortly.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is constructing an underground Metro Station at Bhikaji Cama Place near Africa Avenue Flyover.
While constructing an underpass across the road from the Metro Station using push box technique below the ramp of the flyover on the Ring Road, some portion of road and part of the reinforcement earth wall settled reportedly. The PWD said it is in close coordination with the DMRC and the consultant who designed this approach.
"The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is constructing an underpass across the road from the Metro Station using push box technique. The box was being pushed by the DMRC below the ramp of the flyover on the Ring Road. During the pushing of box some portion of road and part of the reinforcement earth wall settled. The PWD is in close coordination with the DMRC and the consultant who designed this approach. The flyover is completely safe for traffic movement and the approach ramp will be repaired and restored shortly," said a Delhi Government official.
According to the Government, this stretch of the road was handed over to the DMRC about three years back for construction of Metro Phase-III. "Road surface has been restored by filling up the settled portion and the DMRC will replace the broken panels of the RE wall, under the PWD supervision. The incident of settlement of ramp of Africa Avenue Flyover opposite the EIl Building was observed during the month of April - May, 2016."
In a statement, the Government explained that it was due to Construction of Entry-Exit of Tunnel below the ramp crossing the Ring Road using push box technique.
The Government further said the arrangements were to be made by the DMRC for observation on development of any cracks in the RE panels and settlement of road during further pushing of the box.
"The crash barriers were cut vertically so the effect of the vertical settlement in this area may not affect the other area of the ramp. To prevent any accident, barricading has already been done. The DMRC has completed the work of box pushing under the ramp of flyover and rest of the underpass would be constructed by them using cut and cover method. The carriageway in the ramp portion will be strengthened by grouted nailing through RE panels by using cement grout mix as per standard design under the supervision of Reinforced Earth India Pvt. ltd," it added.
They also said the DMRC has intimated that they are in the process of making the method statement to rehabilitate the settled portion of RE wall before taking up its execution under the supervision of PWD Engineers.