CANACONA
PWD’s unusual repair of a weakened bridge at Loliem by placing iron bars under the corroded and exposed iron bars at the bridge has been questioned by locals in the village.
A few months ago, an old culvert bridge near the Loliem railway station was highlighted for its precarious situation, as concrete pieces began falling and exposing the corroded iron rods.
Taking cognisance of the precarious condition of the culvert bridge highlighted in the media, the PWD partially removed the corroded iron bars from the culvert bridge.
However, PWD workers have fitted a newly framed iron bars cage under the bridge and are presently involved in burying the iron cage with a plaster of cement.
Incidentally, some locals questioned the repair work and wondered if it was as per specifications.
“How long will this cement plaster remain and will the iron bar cage fitted and plastered underneath as a replacement of the corroded iron bars from the concrete actually help to bear the weight of the culvert bridge and strengthen it? Will it remain and if so, for how long,” asked a local Vishant Prabhu.
“What we need is a new bridge and the demolition of this weak and dilapidated culvert bridge, and prevent any mishap in future,” said Prabhu.
Another local pointed out that the concrete is one-and-half feet above the newly affixed iron rod cage and also wondered if the iron cage could bear the weight of the bridge culvert.
