Dilapidated bridge on road near Panchasheel Square, a disaster waiting to happen!
| Date :26-Jul-2023 |
By Rutu Borkar
A DILAPIDATED British era bridge located in the stretch between between Panchasheel Square and Jhansi Rani Square, which is part of the busy national highway, is in a dire state due to years of neglect on part of the local authorities. The pillars of the bridge have developed cracks and could crumble any day. If measures are not taken immediately to repair the bridge, it can result in a disaster that will cost the city dearly. Located on the busy Wardha Road, the bridge shares its boundary with Dhiran Kanya School, Panchasheel Talkies parking, Soyamee Milk Centre, and Hindustan Furniture. Acting as an important link in connecting North and West Nagpur, a visit and close look under the bridge reveals that the boundary wall has collapsed and the pillars under the bridge are in perilous condition. The bridge is over the Nag Nadi and, and the parapet wall of another bridge on the river stretch had collapsed in the nearby Ramdaspeth area. That has led to the closure of the entire stretch, putting citizens to trouble.
Meanwhile, citizens residing near the bridge and those who have their businesses around this area are getting sleepless nights. Jagjeet Singh, owner of Hindustan Furniture, who also resides behind the store adjacent to the bridge, stated that the structure was being neglected for several years. “The civic administration was not aware of it until we filed four written complaints with Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC),” he said. The situation was also brought to the notice of the Municipal Commissioner, way back in summer. The civic officials visited the place, but no concrete action was taken even after the arrival of monsoon. The administration has simply placed a board and diverted the traffic for over two months now. Jagjeet's son, Adv Sarabjeet Singh, who has an office adjacent to the bridge, has stopped going to office. He has locked the office as there is always a fear that any additional pressure might lead to caving in on the supporting area adjacent to the bridge as the boundary wall has already collapsed. In fact, everyday when it rains heavily, the citizens are gripped by fear that some tragedy may befall them.
The road running above the bridge has heavy flow of traffic and serves as an important link. Commuters in large numbers especially students, board bus from Sitabuldi Bus Stop, adjacent to Soyamilk Complex, located exactly above the bridge. Buses are parked exactly atop the bridge and nearby space exerting a heavy payload on everyday basis. In a temporary arrangement, a net is put around the bus stop, to avoid parking of buses on the bridge. The commuters take shelter under the fly-over and rush to board the bus, when it arrives at the spot. This is causing traffic jams on a regular basis and also raises safety concerns for the commuters. On the other side of road, adjacent to Panchasheel Talkies, a big area over the bridge, is cordoned off, as the pillars underneath are weak. Prakash Varade, Assistant Commissioner at Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), Dharampeth Zone, stated that the road comes under National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and that a report had been sent for further action. While the bridge falls under NHAI, the footpaths, which have also collapsed around Hindustan Furniture and nearby shops, are the property of NMC. A joint action by the concerned authority is awaited.
‘The Hitavada’ tried to get in touch with officials of Public Works Department (PWD) to find if any action plan has been put in place. The officials on condition of anonymity stated that a proposal has been sent to its regional office to seek a fund of Rs 60 lakh for the bridge renovation work. However a timeline could not be ascertained to secure the funds neither on starting or completion of work within a stipulated time. Till the time, funds are secured and the bridge is revamped, safety of people traveling on the bridge and the nearby property owners hangs in balance.