Villagers hit by vehicular traffic curbs on old bridge

KOLHAPUR: The Public Works Department (PWD) officials at Radhanagari tehsil have closed the bridge connecting to Kudutri village, claiming that it is very old and can collapse anytime. Consequently, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has suspended its service to the village, forcing the local residents to depend on private vehicles to travel to Kolhapur. The bridge is currently allowed for light vehicles.

A A Sasane, deputy engineer, PWD, Radhanagari panchayat samiti said, "At a recent inspection, engineers have found some cracks on the bridge while the existing cracks have widened. There is a big hole on right side of the bridge, which is the major reason for closing the bridge for heavy vehicles. Tractors, trucks and buses are banned on the bridge to avoid any mishap."

The district PWD officials have already prepared a detailed report on construction of new bridge at the site and are waiting for the final approval, Sasane added.

Villages such as Shiroli, Kudutri and Karanfen are facing inconvenience due to closure of the bridge.

Since construction work is generally undertaken after October 15, when the monsoon season is officially over and the moisture content in the earth is reduced, the officials will have to wait till then to start construction of a new bridge.

Sources in the MSRTC said services to the village was suspended in April also because of the poor condition of the bridge, but the local people pressurised the department to resume the service. After the Mahad bridge collapse, the PWD officials decided not to take any risk of human casualty. Hence the bus service has been suspended.

In its report, the PWD has also mentioned that the bridge is beyond repair.