Will order probe if found that crack in pillar was due to substandard work

Belagavi: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara Friday said the state government would conduct an inquiry if the preliminary probe report on a defect in the pillar at Trinity Metro station here, suggested that the crack in it was due to substandard work.

“The BMRCL is making sure that no such incidents occur in future. We are trying to allay public fear about the safety ofMetro Rail,” he told reporters here.

Professor Srinivas of Indian Institute of Science has inspected the site, he said.

Last Sunday, the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) noticed a ‘honeycomb’ in the beam and authorities swung into action to rectify it and strengthen the structure.

Meanwhile, the BMRCL said the structural defect in the metro pillar was first detected in 2012.

As a temporary measure to sustain the structure, steel support has been provided.

The repair work would be carried out on December 22 and 23, it said.

“The problem (honeycomb) was first noticed in 2012 and at that time necessary steps were taken to rectify it,” BMRCL Managing Director Ajay Seth told reporters here.

It could be due to air bubbles locked inside the concrete at the time of construction which later developed into cracks, he said.

‘Honeycomb’ is a void in a concrete structure.

To a query whether the beam would be replaced, Seth said the first aspect would be that whatever the BMRCL does should be 100 percent safe for the public and then ensure that efficient services were provided.