The repair and renovation of the Cauvery bridge in the city, carried out by the Highways Department recently, has drawn much flak from residents.
Gaping holes have appeared at a couple of joints on the bridge within a short time after the renovation. Besides, the tiles laid on the footpaths on the bridge have come off.
The department has taken up a rehabilitation-cum-beautification of the Cauvery bridge a few months back as portions of the bridge, especially its parapet and pedestrian pathway, had suffered damages. The bridge caters to a huge volume of traffic, and execution of the work in a staggered manner. The bridge constructed in 1976 has 15 spans and runs for a length of about 550 metres.
The authorities have now placed a steel drum to keep away vehicles from the holes. “The work seems to have been badly executed. The joints are already broken at some places and the authorities should take immediate action to prevent any accident. A high-level team should be appointed to look into the matter,” said N.Ramakrishnan, a civic activist. Many people hang out on the bridge during the evenings and safety of the people should be ensured, he said.
A senior official of the Highways Department, when contacted, said that the gaps have appeared at the joints where strip seals were fixed in between spans because they did not get much curing time as traffic could not be stopped on the busy bridge. The problem, he said, would be rectified soon. Similarly, the platform tiles would also be set right as the work could not be fully complete due to the intervening Assembly election, he added.
The renovation of the bridge commenced in November last year at an estimate of Rs.1.50 crore sanctioned under the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme. The work had drawn criticism right from the beginning when a section of residents, including architects, opposed the construction of the solid brick wall instead of the existing perforated concrete structure (with gaps) stating that it would not only be an eyesore but a safety threat.
