After the collapse of footbridge over River Zuari recently connecting Curchorem to Sanvordem, the PWD has commenced maintenance work from Tuesday on another bridge over railway tracks connecting Khamamoll to Morailem.
The six-span railway overbridge, situated hardly 100 metres away from the collapsed footbridge, was jointly constructed around 40 years back by the State government and the railway authorities. This bridge requires urgent maintenance as corroded iron rods are seen at many places.
Two spans are maintained by the railways while another four spans are maintained by the State government (PWD).
Earlier the third span from Morailem side had collapsed twice when the bridge was being constructed but after completion nothing has happened and the bridge remained intact.
It is learnt that the PWD has not maintained their spans properly for several years. According to elders, the PWD has never even painted the bridge after the construction but railway authorities were maintaining their part by painting its iron bars (which are carrying the weight of the slab) including side barriers every year but recently they have also forgotten to paint the barriers but one can see that only iron bars are painted.
It is seen that a portion of the barrier, which had collapsed at least more than 10 years back due to a road accident and which was later repaired with laterite stones is still not fortified with cement and appears shabby.
It is also seen that a number of pipelines, including those which are put up by a contractor recently, pass over this bridge. Besides that, various other cables are also seen passing through. The holes on the side of the bridge to let the rain water pass through are either choked or closed. This causes flooding most of the time during rains making it difficult for two-wheeler riders and pedestrians to walk over it.
Citizens are demanding that both State government as well as the railway authorities pay proper attention and repair, clean and beautify the bridge and also to paint it as it stands tall in the main market of Curchorem.
