Quepem bridge to remain closed today

Quepem bridge to remain closed today
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
QUEPEM, MAY 22
The Quepem Bridge over Kushawati River will be closed on May 23 from 7.30 am to 6 pm, with a gap from 1 pm to 3 pm to all traffic, on account of load and structural feasibility tests by the PWD.
PWD sources informed Herald that as the Quepem Bridge will be closed, traffic has been diverted towards Paroda, Amona and Tilamol.
It may be recalled that the Quepem Taluka Mining Affected Peoples Front had submitted a memorandum to the Collector and other departments earlier this month, claiming that the bridge, which was constructed in 1962, was designed for a safe working load for capacity of 34 tonnes.
Since then, the bridge has sustained stress and strain for over 48 years and has not been tested for its present loading capacity and structural safety since its commissioning in 1962.
However, heavy vehicles are allowed over the bridge without any regulations being enforced on the speed and load capacity on the bridge, the Front claimed.
They added that the bridge has become weak due to passage of time and natural decay and deterioration of structural materials. “Cracks have developed on the structure and vibrations are sensed by pedestrians walking over the bridge, thereby suggesting that grave danger and tragedy awaits the bridge and its users,” the Front claimed.
“The vibration symptoms of the bridge suggest that the same is still sustaining in dangerous condition and is in a danger of imminent collapse and hence is not fit for movement of heavy traffic until structural damage control exercises are conducted by the departments concerned.”
Taking cognizance of the memorandum submitted by the Front, the PWD has decided to test the bridge for its load bearing capacity.