Falling concrete stirs panic

Occurrence raises concerns about overall quality, safety of elevated track and supporting pillars of Metro Bus

RAWALPINDI:

In an unusual development, cracks in the elevated track of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad metro bus resulted in large concrete chunks falling onto Murree Road near Sixth Road on the night between Sunday and Monday.

The development came just a day after the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) presented an extensive project proposal for the comprehensive restoration of the Metro Bus service. The proposed budget for the ambitious initiative stands at Rs1.2 billion and is currently awaiting the crucial approval of the Mass Transit Authority (MTA) overseeing the Metro Bus operations.

The unexpected occurrence raised concerns and speculations among residents about the overall quality and safety of the elevated track and supporting pillars of the Metro Bus – a pivotal mode of public transportation connecting the twin cities.

Fortunately, no one was hurt in the scary turn of events as the passers-by and the moving vehicles kept going about their way despite the potentially dangerous situation.

Eyewitnesses reported that during the night between Sunday and Monday, large chunks of concrete fell onto Murree Road from the metro track near Sixth Road. However, passing vehicles and citizens remained unharmed.

A concerned citizen, Mohammad Hakeem, who regularly travels on the metro bus, highlighted the deteriorating condition of the elevated track. Hakeem pointed out significant potholes and a major crack near Sixth Road.

While acknowledging that the management had conducted minor repairs to restore the track, he urged the caretaker chief minister of Punjab to address the unsafe state of the Metro Bus track.

Read Metro Bus revitalisation on the cards

Despite eyewitnesses’ accounts of the incident, officials of the Metro Bus Authority brushed aside the allegations of falling concrete pieces being linked to track damage. Instead, they asserted that the incident was part of the ongoing repair work on the extension joint.

“The falling concrete was not a result of track damage but a part of the ongoing repair work on the extension joint,” the officials said.

They clarified that experts intentionally broke the joint for repair, which is being reassembled. The repair work, conducted under regular Standard Operating Procedures, led to the closure of the Murree Road area for traffic, they said.

One phase of the repair work has been completed, and work on the second phase is in progress. Despite the ongoing repair, the Metro Bus service continues to operate as usual.

Authorities sought to reassure citizens by emphasising their commitment to ensuring no negligence occurs during the repair process. They affirmed that every effort is being made to expedite the remaining repairs promptly, prioritising the safety and well-being of commuters and residents alike.

Background

Launched in June 2015 at a substantial cost of Rs44 billion, the metro bus service covers a 24-kilometre route, seamlessly connecting the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The service caters to the daily transportation needs of approximately 0.2 million commuters, making it a lifeline for the twin cities. However, over the past nine years, inadequate maintenance practices have taken a toll on the service, manifesting in deteriorating infrastructure, damaged stations, and worn-out facilities, including broken furnishings.

The service provides citizens with quality and affordable travel. At least 0.2 million commuters avail of the public transit service daily. The metro bus has stations built every one kilometre to facilitate residents of different areas.

In the last nine years, however, lack of maintenance has naturally led to the service’s infrastructure deteriorating over time. All of the stations’ infrastructure as well as bus tracks have been damaged in some way through wear and tear.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 2^nd, 2024.