BELAGAVI
After coming in for severe criticism by elected representatives, officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) began to repair and restoration of the portion of the Belagavi-Goa NH4A which got washed away near Londa due to floods on Friday.
However, sources have said the stretch was severely damaged and may not be able to handle the heavy traffic until the new bridge is ready.
Manpower and machinery has been pressed into service since Monday to refill the damaged portion of the Belagavi-Goa highway, in a bid to resume local and interstate traffic along the highway.
The repair work is expected to be completed by the end of the week.
It may be recalled that a portion of the Belagavi-Goa NH4A got washed away due to the flooding of Pandhari River. The strong water current had also partially damaged the old bridge on the highway, cutting off connectivity between Ramnagar and other areas of Belagavi.
Another bridge at Pastoli was also damaged due to flooding of the Pandhari River.
On Sunday, the former Karnataka minister and MLA R V Deshpande visited the damaged site and directed NHAI authorities to take up restoration work immediately.
He also directed NHAI authorities to open the bridge for traffic at Pastoli as it was ready to handle the traffic.
Local authorities had also asked NHAI authorities to take up the repair work on priority.
According to the contractor, the damaged portion will be filled with sand and mud bags and will be repaired temporarily so that the road could be pressed into service.
“However, the condition of the old bridge and the washed highway will not be able to handle heavy vehicles. Unless the new bridge parallel to the old bridge is completed, the smooth flow of traffic cannot be assured,” the contractor said.
