Many Namma Metro workers were seen laying pipes on the piers so that the excess water is flushed out of the Metro tracks. These are huge PVC pipes, that are attached externally so that water flows directly on the medians on which these piers have come up.
Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) officials said that during Phase 1, it was envisaged that the drain pipe would be embedded inside the pier. This is why the pipes were not seen externally till now. However, now, some of the drain pipes have got choked which might lead to rain water overflowing on to the piers during the rainy season.
Stagings (temporary support) are provided to access higher parts of such piers, they said. Whenever minor maintenance and pier surface treatment issues are noticed, they are being attended to simultaneously, said BMRCL officials. “With monsoon expected to hit Bengaluru in the first week of June, we don’t want to take any chances.
Though Metro trains are currently in suspension mode due to the continued lockdown, we don’t want any disruption in service or damage to the piers. So, now, we are going the extra mile to ensure that alternative arrangements are made at the earliest.
To begin with, the external piers have been fixed on Tumkur road and we shall continue to do this in other piers where there are issues,” said BMRCL Managing Director Ajay Seth. Meanwhile, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials said they chose to have external pipes as the internal drain pipes were getting choked.
For example, the Nelamangala flyover which runs parallel to the Metro track has only external pipes. But, many say that both Metro and NHAI should ensure that the rainwater that flows out from these pipes should not be allowed to go waste. “If you look at the NHAI experience, the rain water is wasted and is seen falling on the road like water falls at many places. The Metro officials should ensure that pits are dug up near the pipes so that the rain water goes deep inside and the ground water can be recharged,” said RS Lakshmeesha, a green activist and a techie.
Metro officials confirmed that external pipes will be more common in Phase 2. “In due course, the drain pipes will be installed outside the piers. This is part of routine inspection and maintenance work. In Phase 2, all drain pipes are outside the piers to facilitate easy maintenance,” Seth added.