Stones from the pillars collapse, villagers terrified

Team Udayavani, Apr 29, 2019, 3:19 PM IST

Hebri: The bridge connecting Hebri-Balkunje located near Navodaya School along the Hebri Kundapur road within Chara GP limits is on the verge of collapsing.

The stones at the bottom of the pillars which support this bridge built in 1958 are falling off and hence the bridge is on the route if collapsing. During the construction of the bridge itself, there were allegations of low quality work and Belanje Ramananda Hegde who is a local if fighting to bring the issue to the notice of the officials.

In 1980, the stones of one of the pillars had fallen off post which, it had been patched up. Now the cement applied on the repaired pillar is wearing off. Besides, the stones of another important pillar are falling off. It is feared that the entire bridge might get washed away by the water flowing beneath during the monsoon season.

Proper time for repair work

Sita River which flows with all its might during the monsoon season has currently disappeared. The current time period provides the right opportunity to take up repair work here. If the work is taken up now, the possibility of danger maybe averted.

Fear of losing connection

The concerned officials must immediately inspect the site and carryout repair works, if not the connection between Hebri and Balkunje may be lost in the coming days, say locals expressing their worst fear.

It will be repaired

“We have inspected it. There is no enough danger to cause any fear. Only a few stones at the bottom of the pillar have slipped off and temporary repair work will be conducted within 15 days. Besides, experts will be brought from Bengaluru; the quality of the bridge will be checked post which the next step will be taken. Presently there is no danger,” explains Loyed, Public Works Engineer

Inspection

“The stones on the bottom of the bridge’s pillars have fallen off. The location has been visited and inspections have been carried out. It has been brought to the notice of the concerned officials,” informs Rajendra, PDO, Chara GP