Title - RITES to proof-check metro girder design over rail line

On the row over delay in approval for Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation’s girder over the railway track in Malleswaram by the Commissioner of Railway Safety, the BMRCL has said it has referred the design to RITES.BMRCL Managing Director N. Sivasailam in a release said the RITES had been requested to proof-check the design in compliance with Railway Board’s guidelines.The board had told BMRCL that the involvement of South Western Railway with regard to the 66-mt span over Bangalore City-Tumkur Railway line was limited to signing of General Administrative Design (GAD) in cases of metro railway crossing and collecting way-leave charges.The design of the Malleswaram girder needs to be proof-checked by a reputed consultant in view of safety, the board has told BMRCL. Mr. Sivasailam said the design after proof-checking would be submitted to the Commissioner of Railway Safety for approval next week.The Hindu had carried a news report in these columns on Thursday about the technical logjam involving the Malleswaram crossing which has been delaying the North Line of Namma Metro. Mr. Sivasailam told The Hindu that the board’s communication was received by BMRCL on Thursday.