BBMP plans new Varthur bridge next to the old one

Repairing the wobbly Varthur bridge may take one more month due to a delay in the arrival of construction materials.

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike officials, while planning a new bridge adjacent to the old Varthur bridge, said irregular attendance of labourers has also contributed to the delay in repairing the bridge.

Varthur residents said the BBMP has delayed the repair work at a time when the city is pounded by heavy monsoon rain over the past few days.

"We were promised that the bridge will be completed by July end. But officials said that the delay is due to the untimely supply of materials and irregular attendance of laborers," said Jagadish Reddy, a member of residents' group Varthur Rising.

BBMP chief engineer Somashekar said they were filling cracks in the bridge with bonding agent, an important part of the repair work.

"We'll begin the grouting work in two weeks," he said. "The bearings will reach the construction site in 10 days and we will complete the entire work by the end of this month," Somashekar said.

While officials have banned heavy vehicles on the old bridge, they began preparations to build a new bridge designed for all vehicles as part of the Varthur road-expansion project.

"Construction materials have reached the site already. We are preparing the ground to erect pillars. The new bridge is part of the Varthur road-widening project. It is a state highway bridge and all heavy vehicles will be allowed to pass through it," said Somashekar.

Reddy also alleged that the BBMP is building a flyover as part of the Varthur road-widening project without public consultation. Somashekar said land acquisition for the project is still going on. He refused to comment on a proposal to build a new flyover.