Lajpat Nagar flyover opens after repairs

NEW DELHI: A section of the Lajpat Nagar flyover that was closed for repairs was opened for vehicular movement on Thursday morning. The Public Works Department (PWD) completed the repair work two days back and conducted a test run after which it gave the green signal to open the flyover.
Delhi Police officers said that the PWD had sought time till May 30 to complete the repair work.However, during an inspection it was found that the work could be completed a week ahead of schedule. Senior PWD officials had earlier said that it will take 15 days to complete the repair work at the flyover.
PWD officials said that another inspection would be conducted later this week to ensure that the repaired joints do not develop fresh cracks.
“The repairing work started on May 15 and we had kept May 30 as the deadline. The work was completed within seven days but we kept the carriageway closed for three more days. It was done to strengthen the joints and to keep a close watch on the repairing work. The work is completed and the gaps have been filled,” said a senior PWD official.
TOI had first reported that a huge gap had developed between the girders of the flyover and highlighted that a major disaster was waiting to happen. The Delhi government had commissioned the repair work in December and work was to be started from January 2. However, due to delay in getting permission to divert traffic, the work was postponed. The work was further postponed due to Republic Day celebrations and deadline was shifted to February. But due to metro-related work, PWD didn’t get permission in February and the work was again postponed.
“The gaps have been filled by extension joints. Every flyover has such joints between two girders supported by pillars. In summers, these girders expand while during winters they shrink,” said a senior PWD official. The PWD has also been requested to re-pave the roads under the flyover which was damaged due to the construction work.