Bengaluru: Facebook post sparks panic among Metro commuters

BENGALURU: Panic gripped Namma Metro passengers on Friday after a Facebook post claimed that there was a crack on a pillar between S V Road and Byappanahalli metro stations along the Purple line.
Aashutosh Singh’s post read: “Is this some sort of pillar damage or anything else... Can anyone revert....i feel it is very serious concern.. Location is between Vivekananda metro station and Byapanahalli metro stations (sic).”
The post went viral and was widely shared and commented upon.Following the outpouring of concern online, BMRCL officials rushed to the spot. However, water flow stains were noticed on a pillar and there was nothing to worry.
While viaduct gap is natural, a crack on the pillar raised concern among Metro users.
“It's only water seepage from the expansion joint,” clarified BMRCL's chief public relations officer B L Yashavanth Chavan "There is no crack or damage in the structures and there is nothing to worry,” an official said.
BMRCL ropes in firms to monitor its work
To ensure quality in its works, BMRCL has roped in independent quality monitoring consultants. The selected firms will conduct site inspections, quality checks and monitor progress of work.
Infra Support Engineering Consultants Pvt Ltd will look into the elevated corridor from Byappanahalli to Whitefield and is also responsible for Mysuru Road to Kengeri, Hessaraghatta Cross to BIEC and Puttenahalli Cross to Anjanapura Township corridors.
While K & J Projects Pvt Ltd has been selected to monitor works on the Bommasandra to HSR Layout corridor, Ayoleeza Consultants Pvt Ltd will be responsible for HSR Layout to RV Road and Gottigere to Swagath Road Cross corridors.
Namma Metro has often been in the news for wrong reasons for leaking stations during rain, honeycomb formation on concrete and damage to bearings, false ceiling collapses among others on Phase 1 corridors.