Bricks falling from old bridge raise questions about safety of commuters

Bricks falling from an old bridge over Buddha Nullah on Old GT Road are posing threat to the lives of commuters, but the municipal corporation (MC) has failed to take any step to repair it. Moreover, cracks have also appeared on different portions of this bridge.

As per the claims of a Congress leader the life of this old bridge has ended a few years back. This bridge allows commuters coming from Jalandhar bypass side to cross the Buddha Nullah. A portion made of bricks to support the bridge had already started breaking.

A road along Buddha Nullah also passes from under this old bridge. So, the threat for the commuters passing over the bridge and passing from under the bridge is equal. Thousands of vehicles pass from over this bridge in routine, as this way to inside areas of the city.

In July 2014, ward number 35 councillor Sushma Mehta had given a written complaint to then MC commissioner about the poor condition of this bridge and demanded to take immediate steps in this regard. However, no steps have been taken to repair the damaged portion of this bridge.

Spokesperson for Congress councillors, Parminder Mehta said, “The MC has turned a blind eye over the condition of this bridge. According to a report prepared by Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College the life of this bridge is over. The report states that the bridge is “unsafe” now. He claimed that the report was handed over to the MC, but the officials did not pay any attention.

Parminder Mehta also claimed that if timely action was not taken there are chances of a big mishap. He said that the congress councillors would raise this matter in next House meeting of MC.

Samaj Sewa Society president Ramesh Srivastav said, “It was shocking for me when I saw the broken portion of this bridge. The MC should take steps at least to repair the broken part to strengthen the bridge.”

“Sometimes broken bricks fall on commuters passing from road under this bridge,” he said.

As some other development works are not being conducted due to shortage of funds, the MC has also no funds for reconstruction of this bridge.

“I will look into the matter. I can't comment on reconstruction of the bridge, as MC has shortage of funds,” said Rahul Gagneja, executive engineer of MC. harshraj.singh@hindustantimes.com