Undulations develop on Kundannoor-Thevara bridge yet again

Severe undulations on Kundannoor-Thevara bridge cause concern for motorists, prompting repair work by PWD and MoRTH.

The development of severe undulations atop the 2-km-long Kundannoor-Thevara bridge that links the Edappally-Aroor NH 66 Bypass with Willingdon Island, has come as a bolt from the blue for motorists, since the bridge was reopened to traffic after being resurfaced using stone mastic asphalt (SMA) technology less than seven months ago, in November 2024.

Such undulations and the subsequent bumpy ride that motorists have to endure are also being reported from the adjacent Alexander Parambithara Bridge located on its western side. This bridge too had been resurfaced using the same technology in November. The movement of vehicles through the two bridges had been banned for a month as part of this, resulting in motorists having to take narrow, bottlenecked alternative roads. This often resulted in massive traffic hold-ups.

As part of the resurfacing work, the surface of the two bridges had been scooped out and SMA laid at 5-cm thickness. Sources said that undulations had developed on the kerb of the bridges within this seven-month time span, although the SMA resurfacing work was done with a five-year defect liability period (DLP). The contractor to whom the PWD (NH wing) entrusted the resurfacing work of the two bridges ought to do all repair and restoration works for any undulation, pothole or other fault during this five-year time frame, they added.

The two bridges were almost always full of undulations, due to slack upkeep and lack of preventive maintenance. It was in this situation that the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) handed over the funds and directed the PWD to execute the resurfacing work by using the SMA method, it is learnt.

“The worst affected by the undulations are two-wheeler riders,” said Sarita S., who commuted through the bridges in her scooter every few days. “With the undulations worsening, motorists stand the risk of meeting with accidents when they or others take sudden swerves to avoid them,” she said.

Responding to the angst among motorists and others about the deteriorating condition of the bridges’ surface, PWD sources said that the MoRTH had been informed of the matter. “Both the agencies will jointly take appropriate action to prevent further deterioration of the surface of the two bridges and also remedial measures.”

As part of this, a report on this will be submitted to the Chief Engineer of PWD (NH wing). The Kerala Highway Research Institute (KHRI) too has been informed of the undulations that have developed mostly on the kerbs of the bridges’ carriageway. A preliminary probe suggests that the bitumen has been affected after a few drains through which excess water was directed to service roads were closed by a section of people. “The contractor has been directed to chip away the undulations above the bridges’ surface and to relay the portions,” they added.