Chambaghat flyover opening on hold due to delay in inspection

Solan, August 29

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With the railway officials failing to inspect the Chambaghat-based flyover despite its completion more than a month ago, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) was unable to open it for vehicular traffic.

Its successful trial was conducted earlier this month and it was being hoped that the railways would soon inspect its pier for load strength. This would have paved the way for its opening. Since the flyover lies over the UNESCO world heritage railway track, the NHAI had to complete several formalities like seeking central clearances to ensure that it did not damage the track.

“Despite making several requests to the railways since July to inspect the flyover no response has been received so far. A fresh request has been recently made to the railway authorities in Delhi to inspect the piers so that we can open the flyover for traffic. We are hopeful of a positive outcome,” said Anand Dahiya, Project Director, NHAI, Shimla.

Trial Successful

• This flyover is part of the highway widening project under which 22.91-km-long Solan-Kaithlighat section of the Kalka-Shimla national highway is being four-laned.
• Its successful trial was conducted earlier this month and it was being hoped that the Railways would soon inspect its pier for load strength
• The flyover will facilitate commuters travelling on the Solan-Shimla route while the local traffic for Solan will pass through the roads under the flyover

This is the longest flyover over the Kalka-Shimla National Highway-5 measuring 600 m having 19 piers. The span over railway track at Chambaghat is the tallest, measuring 51.480 m while all other spans are of 30.5 m height. The length of the approach road leading to the flyover from the Solan side is 175 m while its length from the Shimla side is 350 m. The flyover has been constructed using steel composite girders where pre-stressing technology has been used, said Dahiya.

With traffic jams being a regular feature at Chambaghat due to the presence of a railway crossing, the vehicles were often found lined up on either side of the railway track to facilitate passing of the trains. This led to wastage of time and fuel as traffic was put on hold each time a train has to cross this junction.

The flyover will facilitate the commuters travelling on the Solan-Shimla route while the local traffic for Solan will pass through the roads under the flyover.

A railway team will also inspect the footpath and a railing which have been laid as per the agreed terms and conditions.

This flyover is part of the highway widening project under which 22.91-km-long Solan-Kaithlighat section of the Kalka-Shimla national highway is being four-laned. Apart from two major structures comprising a circular pier and a tunnel at Kandaghat, the remaining part of the four-lane would be completed by October.

Airef Engineers was assigned the work in December 2018 and it was supposed to be completed in 30 months by June 2022.