Biswabrata Goswami
KRISHNAGAR, 31 OCT: The Nadia district administration has issued a notification informing that Gouranga Setu over Bhagirathi river near Nabadwip along Krishnagar-Nabadwip state highway-8 would be closed for rehabilitation works from 1 November (12 noon) to 2 November (5 pm).
As a result, movement of all classes of vehicles over the bridge would be prohibited during these two days to facilitate bridge rehabilitation work uninterruptedly by uplift operation of the suspended span deck slab (between pier P3 & P4).
In the notice (Memo no. 993 (14)/MV dated 31.10.2021), Shashank Sethi, district magistrate, Nadia said, “In exercise of power conferred upon me under section 112 & 115 of M V Act, 1988…I hereby prohibit the movement of all classes of vehicles on Sri Gouranga Setu over River Bhagirathi at 12th Km of Krishnagar-Nabadwip Dham Road from 1.11.2021 (!2 noon) to 2.11.2021 (5 pm).”
Only two wheelers, Ambulence and administrative vehicles (LMV) will be allowed to ply with caution and control speed (10km/hr) over the bridge during the restriction period, Mr Sethi said in the notification.
Cracks developed in Gouranga Setu over Bhagirathi river in Nabadwip, today, triggered panic among the commuters who claimed the bridge has not been repaired for a long period despite repeated appeals before the administration.
The incident first came in notice after some drivers who spotted the cracks while crossing the bridge and informed the matter before the local residents. The local residents rushed to the spot and discovered the cracks. They immediately informed the Nabadwip police who reached the site immediately and stopped plying heavy loaded vehicles. They also restricted the movements of the vehicles which led to a heavy traffic jam along the road.
Local residents alleged that the bridge was in dilapidated state for a long period and it was risky for heavy-loaded vehicular movement. The bridge, which was inaugurated in 1973, has been left unrepaired for the last two years while the agency is collecting toll tax from each vehicle. “If the drivers failed to notice the cracks, then there was possibility of major incident,” a local resident said on condition of anonymity.
An administrative official said the bridge was designed on bored piling method and concrete materials were used. The condition of the bridge is bad for a long time but suddenly a spring of the bridge was broken today, he said.
The Gouranga bridge is situated along the state high way-8 and it is the prime state road from Krishnagar to Burdwan. Every day, thousands of small and large vehicles ply over this important bridge, an official said.
Tags: #GourangaSetu #BhagirathiRiver #RestrictionOnPlyingVehicles #Nabadwip #Krishnagar