State Road Construction department’s Seraikela division has started taking initiative to repair the damaged railing on the Kharkai bridge. The job will be done well before the Durga Puja.
The executive engineer, PWD's (Road Construction) Seraikela division Sanjay Kumar Singh said that they have floated a tender on Saturday for mending the damaged portion by October 19 so that the commuters, especially the devotees can enjoy the festival with ease.
"We understand the importance to carry repair work. We have sanctioned Rs 28,000 for the repairing of the damaged railing. The tender will be opened on October 9 and the mending work has to be completed within 10 days of opening of the tender," said Singh.
The executive engineer said keeping the Durga Puja in view they have decided to repair the bridge before the Puja. He said they would get the bridge mended in such way that it will no longer pose any danger for the commuters.
Singh, when queried, admitted that the tender money is too less. If no one turns up at the tender process, then they would approach the utility company, Jusco for mending the damaged railing.
"We cannot directly approach any private company for doing any favour like mending a Government bridge. We have to follow the rules prescribed for the small jobs like this. But at the same time we have to look into the public interest when a portion of the old bridge's railing was damaged due to a mishap. We have, therefore, kept the option of approaching the Jusco," said Singh.
A team of senior administrative officials, led by Seraikela-Kharsawan deputy commissioner, Chandra Shekhar had visited the old bridge and inspected the damaged portion while taking stock of the safety on the Tata-Kandra Road during the grand Puja which is round the corner.
A four-wheeler had hit into the left side railing accidentally, causing the vehicle to fell about 50 feet down into the river bed on September 25 last.