The drainage system of the Parama flyover will be overhauled to ensure water does not accumulate on the carriageways, damaging the steel and concrete structure.
Urban development minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said a Rs 1.11-crore project has been approved for cleaning and maintaining the drainage system of the flyover. “The tender has been floated and work will begin shortly.”
Structural engineers from the Kolkata Municipal Development Authority (KMDA) have seen that at several spots along the main trunk of the flyover — that spans 3.75km between Park Circus and Silver Spring — outgrowths have surfaced because water pipes are either broken or there has been accumulation of water because of lack of drainage.
“Water is not meant to collect on the flyovers. If it does, gradual seepage through the expansion joints can lead to corrosion and rusting of steel surfaces,” said a senior KMDA engineer.
The inspection team observed at several points along the main trunk of the Parama flyover the water outlets were clogged because of accumulation of plastic packets and cups and the rainwater pipes were also filled with garbage.
With water accumulating in these parts, the concrete surface continues to remain wet for greater part of the year inviting moss to accumulate in patches.
Senior police officers said they had already pointed out the spots where water accumulated on the flyover.
“We will work out dates and timings to ensure that the maintenance work does not get hampered once an agency is selected,” said an officer.