Slab Falls Off Rourkela Brahmani Bridge

Rourkela: Panic gripped the commuters passing over Brahmani bridge in Rourkela after a concrete slab of the bridge caved in on Tuesday.

According to sources, vehicular traffic came to a grinding halt forcing hundreds of vehicles to remain stranded for some hours on either side of the National Highway 143.

NHAI staff immediately rushed to the spot after the incident and cordoned off the spot to prevent any mishap.

The entire portion of the bridge was sealed with the help of iron plates and the further repair works were also undertaken. However fearing any accident commuters were seen showing reluctance to pass over the iron plate.

In order to control the traffic movement, the administration has deployed one platoon of police force at the spot.

It may be noted that amid deterioration of the present bridge which was constructed decades back, there has been no noticeable developments in the construction of a second bridge on the river despite five years after announcement of the project work.

Notably, Union road transport and highways Minister Nitin Gadkari had laid the foundation stone of a second bridge over Brahmani river. However, there is inordinate delay in the construction of the bridge due to land acquisition and other issues.