Expansion joint gap mistaken for crack on J P Ganga Path: Minister

Patna: Days after the inauguration of the fourth segment of J P Ganga Path in Patna on April 10, questions were raised regarding the quality of construction following the appearance of what was initially believed to be cracks near pillar A-3, towards Didarganj. However, both the state road construction minister, Nitin Nabin, and the Bihar State Road Development Corporation Limited (BSRDCL) have clarified that the visible feature is an expansion joint gap, not a structural crack.
Senior officials and engineers from Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited (BRPNNL), the nodal agency overseeing the J P Ganga Path project, carried out a site inspection.
Shirsat Kapil Ashok, managing director of BSRDCL and chairman of BRPNNL, also visited the site and clarified the nature of the gap. He said, "This gap, which is 10mm wide, has been intentionally left to maintain coordination between the two structures in accordance with weather-related expansion and contraction."
Minister Nabin said, "In the J P Ganga Path project, what appears to be a crack in the bridge is actually an expansion joint. This joint connects the dirt wall of the abutment with the approach slab at the bridge structure's end and was initially covered by the expansion joint casting. The joint serves a specific purpose, allowing for expansion and contraction of the structure."
He added, "When traffic operations commenced on April 10, vehicular movement caused this joint to become visible on the surface. Subsequently, the joint was sealed with filler material, which was dislodged. It has been filled again. The bridge structure itself remains intact with no structural cracks present."
Nabin has asked the chief general manager to submit a detailed report on the J P Ganga Path by Wednesday. He also confirmed that he will personally visit the site for a physical inspection on Wednesday.