Kochi Metro: Geotechnical study finds gap between piles, rock at fragile pillar

Kochi: A geotechnical study has unearthed that there exists a gap between the piles and the rock beneath the problematic 347th pillar of the Koch Metro at Pathadipalam near Edapally.

It was found during the study at the spot that the rock is situated 10 meter below marshy water and the bottom part of the piles is not reaching up to the rock. The piles are not touching the rock inside the earth. It was also found that there is a gap of one meter between the rock and the pile.

The metro pillars are supposed to be built by way of carrying out continuous piling till the rocks are found. Even after the piles get in contact with the rock, the procedure is that the bottom part of the piles has to be fixed inside the rock by piercing it through the rock at a distance which is two times the diameter of the pile.

However, Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has not officially confirmed the news.