MCT allays fears over concrete slabs falling off Srinivasa Setu flyover

TIRUMALA: Following fears expressed in social media that a part of the Srinivasa Setu Elevated Expressway developed cracks and that its joints could fall off any time, the municipal corporation (MCT) has clarified that the gaps between the joints of RCC crash barriers will not affect the flyover's strength.

For the past two days, netizens have been widely sharing the photos of the Srinivasa Setu flyover on social media, suggesting cracks on the concrete slabs on the flyover in front of the Srinivasam pilgrims complex near the central bus station. Netizens and locals were alarmed at this.

MCT commissioner Anupama Anjali carried out an inspection of the flyover along with the engineering wing officials on Tuesday.

Later, she ruled out any possibility of any concrete slabs falling off the flyover. She said misinformation is being spread on social media.

“The fascia panels in the flyover were two metres in length and width and of 60 mm thickness. They were made of M35 (Mix 35) concrete. Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) crash barriers have been placed on both sides of the expressway to prevent accidents. There are no chances of these panels developing cracks”, she said.

The municipal commissioner said the engineers from the project executing agency – AFCONS Infrastructure Ltd, MCT and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams inspected the elevated corridor and clarified that these were not cracks but a gap between the joints of the concrete slabs.

She said 85 per cent of the expressway works have been completed and the entire flyover would be open for use soon.