Attention of the Public Works Department (PWD), Delhi Government, has been drawn to reports appearing in the media regarding a section of the wall of Bhikaji Cama Flyover. All facts related to the entire issue are as follows :
The Bhikaji Cama flyover was constructed by the PWD in 2002. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is constructing an underground Metro Station at Bhikaji Cama Place near Africa Avenue Flyover. They are constructing an underpass across the road from the Metro Station using push box technique. The box was being pushed by the DMRC below the ramp of the flyover on the Ring Road.
During the pushing of box some portion of road and part of the Reinforcement Earth wall settled. The PWD is in close coordination with the DMRC and the consultant who designed this approach.
The flyover is completely safe for traffic movement and the approach ramp will be repaired and restored shortly. (This stretch of the road was handed over to the DMRC about three years back for construction of Metro Phase-III. Road surface has been restored by filling up the settled portion and the DMRC will replace the broken panels of the RE wall, under the PWD supervision).
The incident of settlement of ramp of Africa Avenue Flyover opposite the EIL Building was observed during the month of April – May, 2016. It was due to Construction of Entry-Exit of Tunnel below the ramp crossing the Ring Road using push box technique. The matter was taken up with the DMRC by Engineers of the PWD in May, 2016.
These types of settlement are expected to happen while crossing the stretch using push box technique. Since the Ring Road is a busy road, to prevent the settlement in the ramp in the other portion of the flyover, a meeting was taken up by Chief Project Manager, PWD in June, 2016 in which PM, DMRC and representative of REIPL (Agency which originally constructed the R.E. wall) were present and it was decided in the meeting that the repair work will be carried out by DMRC through REIPL and their contractors.
The arrangements were to be made by DMRC for observation on development of any cracks in the R. E. panels and settlement of road during further pushing of the box. The crash barriers were cut vertically so the effect of the vertical settlement in this area may not affect the other area of the ramp. To prevent any accident, barricading has already been done.
DMRC has completed the work of box pushing under the ramp of flyover and rest of the underpass would be constructed by them using cut and cover method.
The carriageway in the ramp portion will be strengthened by grouted nailing through R. E. panels by using cement grout mix as per standard design under the supervision of Reinforced Earth India Pvt. Ltd.
DMRC has intimated that they are in the process of making the method statement to rehabilitate the settled portion of R. E. Wall before taking up its execution under the supervision of PWD Engineers.