Section of under-construction Metro bridge develops crack in Surat

“The final stressing of the box girder span was completed at 1.30 am and it was kept under observation for 24 hours as per rules. Around 2 pm, one segment deformation was noticed. The deformation of the bridge is being continuously monitored and is in stable condition,” said the statement.

Since the load of the bridge is still on launching girder, the damaged structure can be removed by following standard procedure, the GMRC said, adding that the cause of the deformation can be ascertained only after the removal of the segment.

GMRC General Manager (Civil) Yogendra Singh Chauhan said there was no need to panic. “There are thousands of segments in such bridges and it is normal to have such minor issues in one of them. We will destress the cables (which keep together all span segments) and change that segment,” he said.

“Only after proper investigation will we learn why this happened. Repair work will be undertaken,” he added.

The crack near the Bharat cancer hospital in Saroli was first noticed by passersby who informed Limbayat zone fire officer Krishna Mod. Soon after, fire department officers and Saroli police teams sealed the area with the help of GMRC officials.

Saroli police Inspector S R Vekariya said the entire road has been cordoned off and police personnel have been deployed to keep watch.

Work on the Metro had commenced in December 2021. At present, work on a 18-km an elevated bridge from Bhesan to Saroli is in progress.