BELAGAVI
While traffic on the new Kusmalli Bridge along the River Malaprabha road has resumed, giving some relief to commuters between Belagavi and Goa, the incomplete retainer walls and the filling of bitumen on both sides are causing inconvenience to commuters.
Authorities have restricted the movement to two-wheelers and cars on this bridge, due to which only single vehicles can pass at the moment.
It may be recalled that after completing the work on the bridge in May, the contractor had taken up the work on the protective walls and retainer walls. However, the early monsoon that continues to lash the region is causing obstacles in the construction of the retainer wall and the land filling.
“We understand that a little extra time is required to go across the bridge, however, the work cannot be completed due to continuous rains lashing the Jamboti-Kankumbi region. The retainer wall towards the Belagavi side has been completed, whereas the work is incomplete towards the Jamboti side. We are waiting for the rains to subside so that we can complete the work,” Asst Executive Engineer Chinivallar said.
He also appealed to commuters to bear with authorities as the work cannot be completed due to heavy and incessant rains.
The bridge is 90 metres in length, having a width of 5.5 metres to enable two-way traffic, however, only single movement of four-wheelers is possible. Though authorities have permitted the movement of cars and light commercial vehicles, questions are being raised about the safety of the bridge.
Despite the inconveniences, commuters who had to travel about 20 kms extra to reach Belagavi via Khanapur on the heavily dilapidated Jamboti-Khanapur road have now heaved a sigh of relief after traffic movement commenced on the new Kusmalli Bridge.
