The Tribune: Solan: Tuesday, August 08,
2017.
An RTI enquiry
has revealed that static load may damage the bridge on the Yamuna at Paonta
Sahib. The application filed by Abhi, a local resident, however,disclosed that
the bridge was safe for rolling load.
The bridge
has been declared unsafe for static load by the National Highways Division of
the Public Works Department (PWD). The department has also stressed measures to
avoid such load on the bridge.
Abhi has made
a representation to district administration officials, including the DC, SDM,
Paonta Sahib, and officials of the department, to initiate measures like
removal of the entry tax barrier and other check points on the bridge.
A suggestion
to initiate repair work, regulate speed limit and heavy vehicles crossing the
bridge has also been made.
The
representation also suggests construction of a new bridge and preparation for
disaster relief measures in case the bridge collapses.
Though the
issue has been raised with the district administration time and again, nothing
has been done to reduce static load on the bridge. Residents have also stepped
up their demand to remove the entry tax barrier on the bridge as it led to
frequent traffic jams.