Thiruvananthapuram: A diving expedition has confirmed that several pillars of the Valiyathura pier have got detached from the main structure. During a preliminary study, six out of the 96 pillars of the pier were found to be detached. Divers could not check all the pillars and another full- fledged expedition is planned for November. “In the case of several other pillars, the steel is exposed and the concrete is getting eroded. The photographs we took pose questions on the recent cosmetic works carried out by the harbour department on the pier that added tonnes of additional load on the existing structure,” said Robert Panippilla, a marine biodiversity expert.
The recently renovated top portion of the pier.
The original purpose of the divers was to study the remnants of an older pier that existed next to the present one built in 1948. Valiyathura pier was declared a dead harbour decades ago. A few years back, the district administration warned the public about entering the pier. “There has not been an underwater study to evaluate the condition of the pier. It is strange as to why the harbour department spent over Rs one crore from the public exchequer on a pier that might collapse,” he added.
Several plans were submitted to the harbour department by independent architects to strengthen the pier. However, they were yet to make any efforts. Harbour Department officials reiterated that they did not have the expertise to reinforce underwater parts of the pillars. They added that a separate expression of interest would be called to conduct pillar reinforcement.
