A technical team from National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), Delhi on Thursday rushed to Bokaro and inspected Telmachho Bridge for its revamp. A side portion of the bridge collapsed in the wee hours on March 5 and later the transportation of heavy
vehicles was completely barred on the bridge.
The bridge is erected on Damodar River connecting the State Capital Ranchi to Dhanbad via Bokaro (NH-23) and Purulia via Chas to Dhanbad (NH-32); life - line of Bokaro and Dhanbad.
According to the eyewitnesses after the collapse of a portion of the bridge, three huge breaches occurred between pillar no. 1 and pillar no. 3 which are increasing right away, disrupting vehicular movement. Heavy vehicles are completely halted, said Vinod Ojha an eyewitness.
The bridge erected in 1984, has already been in deteriorating condition,lead the authority responsible for maintenance, he said. More than 30 thousand vehicles ply daily through the bridge but now goods trucks, transport buses were stand still after the Bokaro DC barred the movement of heavy vehicles on the bridge.
The disruption of traffic caused severe inconvenience to the commuters. Several people were seen taking alternative routes to reach their destinations, said Shankar a local resident.
“A portion of the bridge collapse and breaches has disrupted one of the busiest roads that connect with Bokaro-Dhanbad and Purulia-Dhanbad. Thousands of vehicles ply on the road every day. The concerned authority should complete the construction on the diversion road at the earliest”, he added.
Meanwhile, goods vehicles, as well as transport vehicles, are plying through alternative routes via Chandankiyari or via Chandrapura and has to travel at least 60 kilometres extra to reach to Dhanbad”, said a Sujit a Dhanbad-based businessman.
“Report will be submitted shortly, we are trying hard, transportation would be restored soon after repair of the bridge”, said an official.