Anandapur: Despite the going down of a guard wall by three to four inches on the bridge across river Baitarani here in Keonjhar district after dislodging of a supporting bearing, heavy vehicles continue to ply posing threat to the structure and to commuters.
The department officials including a technical team visited the site and took stock of situation Monday.
“We have apprised the chief engineer of the development and details of repairing work would be known after the visit of another technical team to the site,” said Sameer Adhikari, an assistant officer of the road and building department.
Measures would soon be taken to stop plying of heavy vehicles on the affected part of the bridge, he added.
“This couldn’t be done Monday due to unavailability of labourers. Sand packets would be piled near the guard wall and a signage would be put up asking the heavy vehicles to reduce their speed,” Adhikari said.
Earlier, there was no road connectivity between Ghasipura and Anandapur. Boat was the only medium of communication between the two towns. Aggrieved people of Anandapur had resorted to agitation in 1978 and launched a hunger strike demanding a bridge. The public outrage forced the government to set up a bridge across Baitarani at Anandapur. The construction began in 1980 and completed in 1985. At that time, it was considered a big achievement by the people of Anandapur.
At present, the sudden threat to the lifeline between Ghasipura and Anandapur has triggered panic among the locals.
They would again agitate unless the department takes immediate measures to repair the bridge.
Bijay Kumar Mishra, president of Dhanei Committee, a local outfit, first spotted the bearing lying on the riverbed Thursday evening and informed the authorities.
Officials and engineers visited the bridge and inspected the spot Friday. Refuting any possible danger to the bridge, an official of Anandapur road and building department said steps would be taken soon to get the bearing fixed and repair the crack.
Locals said some holes were made recently on the bridge to allow rain water to percolate. They felt the vibrations from the drilling might have resulted in the dislodging of the supporting bearing.
However, they observed that if no immediate steps are taken, a major mishap might happen anytime.
PNN
