Bailey bridges worth Rs 10 crores being procured
By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 11 Jul: After continuous rains in Uttarakhand over the past few days, several areas of Kumaon have been submerged and the rivers, streams and nullahs are in spate. Several bridges have crumbled, particularly in Kumaon, including the one that connects Ramnagar to Ranikhet. In view of the fact that several bridges have been identified in the state to be weak and likely to collapse, as has been happening in several states across the country, the government has sought information about such vulnerable bridges.
According to PWD Secretary Dr Pankaj Pandey, there are 97 sensitive or vulnerable bridges in Uttarakhand, of which proposals have been submitted for repair of 84, while the remaining bridges are being inspected and have also been closed as per the need.
The PWD Secretary also stated that information has been sought about the bridge that has broken in Ramnagar. As per the preliminary inquiry, the bridge had collapsed due to excessive water and debris that collected due to rising water level. Pandey reminded that this bridge had been repaired earlier as well. However, it was not found to be vulnerable then, otherwise the PWD would have closed it earlier. An alternative route is being built at the site.
Pandey also shared that the Uttarakhand government has also made arrangements for Bailey bridges to make alternative routes if there is damage to bridges anywhere. The government has purchased Bailey bridges worth more than 10 crores in the Kumaon region. The Malan River bridge damaged last year in Kotdwar is also being repaired and an alternative route damaged in the rains this year is also being built. It may take one year to build other bridges.
Secretary Pankaj Pandey added that more than 200 landslide zones have been declared in Uttarakhand. Apart from this, roads that get washed away due to cloud bursts and landslides are repaired or new roads are built.
According to PWD data, more than 300 roads have been blocked so far, which are being opened rapidly; even as 450 JCBs have been deployed at various places.
