Ananandapur: A high-level technical team started examining a displaced supporting bearing in the Baitarani Bridge in Ananandapur area of Keonjhar district Sunday.
A 2-tonne supporting bearing on one of the pillars of the bridge got displaced, posing a threat to the structure and commuters.
An expert team had earlier inspected the bridge and warned that it may collapse. They had apprised officials, executive engineer of the department concerned and the Collector of the danger.
They had suggested a ban on the movement of heavy vehicles on the bridge and recommended its immediate repair. An order had been issued to curb the movement of heavy vehicles, but it was not implemented as there was a shortage of police personnel with most of them being assigned Rath Yatra duties.
“All necessary efforts will be made to stop movement of heavy vehicles on the bridge from Monday,” said assistant executive engineer of works department Samir Kumar.
The high-level team from the headquarters office (Bhubaneswar) comprising Superintending Engineer Anil Kumar Tripathy and another engineer Anil Kumar Sahu climbed the bridge using ladders and examined the spot where the bearing has gone out of alignment.
“After the bearing was displaced, the bridge surface has become uneven. Plying of heavy vehicles will affect other bearings. The bridge will be repaired soon,” said Tripathy.
About 10 days ago, Bijay Kumar Mishra, president of Dhanei Committee, a local organisation, first noticed it and immediately informed the authorities.
Officials and engineers visited the bridge and inspected the spot. But they ruled out any possible danger to the bridge. Besides, a portion of the side protective wall at the affected spot has also gone down three to four inches, showing up a crack.
Locals pointed out that some holes were made recently on the bridge to let the rainwater pass through them. They suspected that the vibrations of drilling might have caused the displacement of the bearing.
PNN
