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Puri: Puri collector Arvind Agarwal today directed authorities of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to complete the repair of the railway over bridge at Samajajpur, a major project on Puri-Bhubaneswar National Highway, which NHAI has warned could collapse any time due to the poor quality of its construction.
The collector's directive came after he inspected the dilapidated over bridge in the company of the Puri SP and NHAI Manager (Technical) Sanjay Channa this morning.
The collector also directed NHAI to construct a makeshift road for commuters till the over bridge is fully repaired.
Sources said the alternative road will be thrown open for commuters tomorrow.
The National Highway Authority (NHAI) had written to the district administration apprising it of the unsafe condition of the bridge.
"There has been some structural problem in the ROB and it has become unsafe for the use of traffic and needs to be repaired at the earliest. Till the repair is completed, traffic is required to be stopped on the ROB and be diverted from the existing level crossing as use of ROB at this juncture may cause any mis-happening at any moment", the letter read.
After receiving the letter, the district administration has discussed the matter with NHAI authorities and asked for the speedy redressal of the problem.
"The slab is collapsing gradually. We have discussed with NHAI authorities and asked them to examine the condition to see whether it could be managed till Ratha Yatra. This bridge is a crucial link for vehicle mobilization. As the Ratha Yatra is getting nearer, our mobility plan will be seriously affected, if the communication is halted on it. We have asked them to repair it within 15 days. They may repair the bridge temporarily for two and light four wheelers and construct a bypass road under the bridge for diversion", Puri Collector Agarwal had said earlier.
On the other hand, Nabakalebar Infrastructure Development Committee chairman Maheswar Mohanty has expressed doubt over the completion of the work within a fortnight.
"The assurance to finish the work within 15 days seems unrealistic. We have told them to examine the condition whether it can be managed till Rath Yatra. Otherwise, they should construct the by-pass road under the bridge on which the heavy vehicles would ply. The NHAI authorities should temporarily repair the bridge for plying of light vehicles. If they (NHAI authorities) want, the repair should be completed by June 30", said Mohanty.
Meanwhile, the works department has assured timely completion of repair work. "The NHAI is looking after the construction of the bridge. It has collapsed as soil is used under it instead of concrete. So, it will be replaced by concrete soon. The work will be started very soon and completed by June 30", said Works secretary Nalini Pradhan.
