Several bridges constructed across the Nagarjunasagar Project (NSP) left canal nearly four decades ago in Khammam division and elsewhere in the district, are crying for attention.
Spanning over a distance of 117 km, the NSP left canal is the major source of irrigation for thousands of farmers in the district.
Around 35 bridges and culverts were built across the NSP left canal spread in Kusumanchi, Nelakondapalli, Bonakal, and other mandals during 1973-75.
A majority of these old bridges have become weak due to lack of repairs and multi-fold increase in volume of traffic.
A few dilapidated bridges connecting hundreds of villages with the mandal headquarters, including one at Rajeshpuram in Nelakondapalli and Pallegudem in Khammam rural mandal, collapsed due to corrosion in the past, sources said.
The bridges at Mallepalli, Perikasingaram and Mallaigudem in Kusumanchi mandal, Gollagudem in Khammam rural mandal and elsewhere in the district are lying in utter neglect, posing potential danger to the lives of motorists.
Although massive road infrastructure development works are under way, the old bridges on the main thoroughfares remain untouched.
Implementation of the NSP canal modernisation project notwithstanding, the pathetic condition of the old bridges remained unchanged.
The NSP officials have initiated repair works on the dilapidated Pallegudem bridge on Khammam-Mahabubabad main road a couple of days ago, following public outcry over the suspension of traffic on the vital thoroughfare connecting Khammam and Warangal districts.
Under mounting pressure to refurbish the old bridges mostly in dilapidated condition, the NSP authorities have mooted proposals for carrying out repairs.
The proposals reportedly envisage strengthening of bridges and building a protection mechanism by installing stone guards on the structures, sources said.
Detailed proposals have been submitted to the government for ensuring repairs to the bridges using latest technology, said Jagadeesh, Executive Engineer (Monitoring), NSP, Tekulapalli Circle, Khammam.
Repair works on the bridge at Pallegudem are being carried out expeditiously to restore traffic on the main road at the earliest.
