Repair Works on GRT Flyover Near Hosur-Bengaluru NH Begin August 20 After Misalignment Scare

The repair works on the GRT flyover connecting with the Hosur-Bengaluru National Highway (NH-44) were scheduled for Wednesday, August 20, after a serious lateral shift in the structure was detected by engineers earlier this year. The 700-metre stretch was shut down at the peak GRT junction between Hosur and Krishnagiri at the end of June when the 40-metre portion was found to have shifted due to damaged bearings.

The National Highways Authority of India was advised to close the flyover immediately after an expert team confirmed that these bearings were found to be heavily worn out, presumably from wear and tear over a prolonged period. Considerations for traffic diversions were made to minimize inconvenience. “Vehicles moving from the Hosur side to Krishnagiri will not be disturbed, but two-wheelers and light vehicles moving from Krishnagiri towards Hosur-Bengaluru will take a shared path with that of a lane on Hosur-Krishnagiri which reducing thus the road capacity at that stretch. Heavy vehicles will continue on the ESI Ring Road, which has been serving as the alternative route since closure,” said Ramesh.

The GRT flyover happens to be that connection to one of the busiest arterial highways in India, NH-44, with all sorts of mixed industrial traffic, interstate buses, and commuter-centred traffic in between Bengaluru and Tamil Nadu. Detection of misalignment in time could avert the possibility of structural failure, officials said, highlighting the necessity for frequent inspection of aging highway infrastructure.

On the other hand, with replacement bearings available and repair works already in place, the authorities are expecting normal traffic flow over the Hosur-Krishnagiri corridor within a week’s time, which would be a great relief for the daily commuters and heavy transport operators who have been on diversion for nearly two months now.