Team Herald
PONDA: The span joints of Borim Bridge have developed depression, which the locals say is due to traffic overload on the bridge.
The 30-year-old bridge is carrying huge traffic load since a decade now when heavy vehicles were diverted from Cortalim Bridge. The locals say that since the diversion, the traffic load on the Borim Bridge has increased beyond its capacity shortening its life span.
Borim Deputy Sarpanch Constacio Luis, Panchas Sunil Savkar and Kamlakant Gaude on Thursday inspected the depression in Borim Bridge and expressed fear over poor condition of the structure.
They said that due to the depression in the span joints, vehicle tyres often get stuck between the span joints, weakening the condition of the bridge further.
According the panchayat members, the bridge had developed a number of potholes and to repair the same, a coat of asphalt was laid, but it has increased the load of the bridge. Besides, they said, the asphalt coating has made the bridge dangerous as it becomes slippery in the hot sun; riders lose control over their vehicles while crossing the bridge, they said.
Instead asphalt, the panchayat members said, concrete should have been used to fill the potholes.
The panchayat members further complained that the electrical fixtures have broken down on the bridge leaving it in darkness.
The National Highway engineer was not reachable on his phone for comments.
