Public Works Department (PWD) will be installing height bar again on both ends of Shahid Gowari fly-over. PWD has already completed the tender process and work of installing height bars will being in a week. The bars will be erected at Rahate Colony Square and at Morris College T-point. Such bars were raised earlier also, but were broken by miscreants to allow entry of heavy vehicles. When this bridge came into existence, the Government agencies had made it clear that movement of heavy vehicles was prohibited. The engineers then had stated that the movement of heavy vehicles would reduce the life of the bridge. Private travel buses, huge trucks, JCBs are regularly seen using the bridge. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Shashikant Satav told ‘The Hitavada’, “The movement of heavy vehicles on this bridge is the cause of concern. Our policemen caught the violators and action too was taken but the movement did not stop.

 

This will damage the flyover and reduce its life. The only solution to this problem is to erect height bars on both the ends of the bridge to prevent heavy vehicles from plying on the fly-over. Accordingly, we sent a letter to PWD requesting to put height bars.” Agreeing to what Satav said, some structural engineers pointed out that the bridge has developed some cracks. There can be several factors responsible for the cracks but the foremost is movement of heavy vehicles on it as it increases the load on the bridge. Krusha Gharde, Executive Engineer, World Bank Division, PWD admitted that the department received letter from Traffic Police. “Acting on the letter, we have started process to erect height bars. The estimated cost was chalked out with the completion of tendering. In a week’s time, the work will begin.”

 

Earlier also, PWD had installed the height bars but some truckers broke it and started movement on the fly-over. Since these activities take place during late night hours, police fail to nab the culprits. This time, with an aim to end this problem, police have decided to keep strict vigilance after the erection of height bars. Speed limit of 40 kmph and prohibition to overtake too are not followed strictly. For some days in the past, police had conducted activity of checking speed of the vehicles with the help of speed gun. Police nabbed violators and imposed fine. But that activity did not dampen the spirit of speedsters. Even the vehicles of senior police officers too don’t follow the speed rules. Overtaking is a common feature on the fly-over without the violators getting caught.