LUDHIANA: Civic officials are waiting for the nod from senior officials of local bodies department to finalise a contractor to dismantle 100-year-old bridge near Chand Cinema. Earlier the officials had floated tenders for construction of this bridge, but nobody came forward so it was decided first to dismantle it and then construct new bridge on the site.
The adjoining bridge at some distance is serving the purpose to some extent, but those who use road passing under the bridge remain at risk as sometimes bricks fell from the bridge. In case any untoward incident took place, then who is going to take the responsibility?
After several attempts to hire a contractor for construction of the bridge, the officials tried thrice for dismantling it too. Even now two firms came forward and cost will be around Rs 1 crore. However the entire process is getting long and even the dismantling will take some time. The officials post dismantling will look out for a contractor who can construct the bridge again that will waste another year. However it would be better if they carry both things along.
Superintending engineer of bridges and road branch Tirath Bansal said, “It was in third attempt that we could get response from two firms only so now these have been sent to senior officials in Chandigarh for approval. First we want to dismantle old bridge as it is in dilapidated condition and it should be demolished now.” He said construction of new bridge would be in second phase and they will try to start process for hiring firm for the same as soon as dismantling starts.
Notably, the bridge issue has been hanging fire for a long time as in 2018 it was closed for the movement of heavy traffic and one wall was also constructed so that heavy vehicles could not cross from here. While passing under the bridge, the commuters remain fearful that bricks can fall on them as such incidents have happened in the past too. The bridge was declared unsafe in 2011 and since then officials are busy in planning to get it repaired/constructed, but the actual result is still not visible.
The adjoining bridge at some distance is serving the purpose to some extent, but those who use road passing under the bridge remain at risk as sometimes bricks fell from the bridge. In case any untoward incident took place, then who is going to take the responsibility?
After several attempts to hire a contractor for construction of the bridge, the officials tried thrice for dismantling it too. Even now two firms came forward and cost will be around Rs 1 crore. However the entire process is getting long and even the dismantling will take some time. The officials post dismantling will look out for a contractor who can construct the bridge again that will waste another year. However it would be better if they carry both things along.
Superintending engineer of bridges and road branch Tirath Bansal said, “It was in third attempt that we could get response from two firms only so now these have been sent to senior officials in Chandigarh for approval. First we want to dismantle old bridge as it is in dilapidated condition and it should be demolished now.” He said construction of new bridge would be in second phase and they will try to start process for hiring firm for the same as soon as dismantling starts.
Notably, the bridge issue has been hanging fire for a long time as in 2018 it was closed for the movement of heavy traffic and one wall was also constructed so that heavy vehicles could not cross from here. While passing under the bridge, the commuters remain fearful that bricks can fall on them as such incidents have happened in the past too. The bridge was declared unsafe in 2011 and since then officials are busy in planning to get it repaired/constructed, but the actual result is still not visible.