Bridge serves as important link between Agonda, Khola along MDR-49
Wide cracks have developed below the two spans of the 50-year-old bridge over the Saleri river between Agonda and Khola.
CANACONA
The 50-year-old bridge over the Saleri river, which provides a key link along the MDR49 road between Agonda and Khola, is under threat of collapse, as wide cracks have developed below the two spans.
Locals have now alleged that the bridge has partially lowered at one of the two spans on the other side.
The over 50-metre-long Saleri Bridge was completed around 1972-73 linking both Agonda and Khola villages, as people were earlier compelled to cross on either side by a canoe.
Over time, this bridge assumed significance providing an important link along the State’s MDR-49 road between Agonda and Khola.
As tourism activities began to flourish in both villages, traffic on the bridge rose sharply along the route. Traffic would further increase if traffic along the NH66 highway was diverted to this MDR-49 road, during traffic disruption along the highway.
According to locals, cracks that began to appear on the RC beams beneath the bridge on the Agonda side since a year ago, and have reportedly got wider since then.
Locals now fear that the bridge, which has served for 50 years, is now on the verge of collapse.
“We could see something is wrong with the bridge and with the so many incidents of bridges collapsing in the country and recently the collapse of 40-year-old bridge in Karwar, the government should take immediate steps to ensure its safety before allowing traffic, particularly heavy vehicles, from plying on the bridge,” said a water sports operator, Melvin Fernandes from Agonda.
Anup Pagi of Saleri-Khola said people standing on the bridge have felt strong vibrations whenever vehicles ply on the bridge.
“The vibrations in itself may not be cause for alarm, but the vibrations along with wide cracks on the RC beam makes us worried that something is badly wrong. The bridge has also lowered on one side, and this is also worrisome,” said Pagi.
Added Fernandes: “Vehicles crossing this bridge get a jerk on reaching this portion of the bridge, a clear indication that the bridge has sunk at one span on the Khola side.”
“Heavy vehicles need to be regulated on the bridge, till a thorough inspection of the bridge is conducted and it is certified to be safe.”
Presently, water-sports activities such as kayaking and boating take place in the backwaters of the northern-end of Agonda beach right under the Saleri bridge, posing further danger to those engaged in water-sports activities.
Fernandes said he has already alerted Agonda Sarpanch Preettal Fernandes and has also brought it to the notice of Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa.
Anup Pagi has also alerted Khola Sarpanch Priyanka Velip to seek the local body’s intervention in the inspection of the bridge.
