NAVVNEET DUBEY
Jammu: People in Jammu have to wait for at least next year, before the Bhagwati bridge on river Tawi which was damaged due to extensive rainfall will be fully operational for vehicular traffic after temporary repairs.
The Fourth Tawi Bridge in Jammu suffered major damage due to heavy rainfall and flash floods in August 26, causing a section to collapse and the approach road to be washed away. A temporary Bailey bridge was constructed by the Indian Army within 12 hours to restore connectivity.
While the temporary solution is in place, the original bridge approach is still unrepaired, leading to traffic congestion, with only one tube of the bridge being operational. Repair work is underway, but officials say it will take more time to complete. Damaged portion is being repaired only on a temporary basis by filling and compaction work.
The closure of the bridge has affected traffic in the city as it was a great relief to commuters from Tallab Tillo, Bakshi Nagar and other areas along Akhnoor road one side and Gandhi Nagar, Satwari, Jewel Chowk, Dogra Chowk, Canal road and most of the adjacent areas on the other side.
As per sources it will take over two months for carrying out repair work to make both tubes of the bridge fully operational. At present only light motor vehicles are allowed on a bailey bridge built by the army. The traffic moves alternatively on the bridge. Since then till now, vehicles pass through Bailey Bridge only but due to not maintaining high speed, there is often a traffic jam. The Public Works Department is completing this work at a cost of approximately Rs 3 crore. Tenders have been invited, and the work will be awarded to a contractor within the next fortnight.
On August 26, due to heavy flooding in the Tawi River, the fourth bridge at Bhagwati Nagar on the Belicharana side of the Tawi River collapsed and was washed away. Since that day, the bridge has not been fully reopened for vehicular traffic.
It is expected that the work will be completed by the beginning of the New Year and then both the tubes of the bridge will be opened for vehicular movement. It should be noted that this route is heavily vehicular. Consequently, construction of a flyover from the canal head to this bridge is underway.
As per senior PWD official the temporary restoration work on the Bhagwati Nagar Fourth Bridge will be completed in the next two to two and a half months. We have invited tenders for this.
They will be open in the next ten to twelve days. Efforts will be made to complete all work by the end of December. The National Highway Authority of India will handle the permanent restoration. After the temporary restoration, both tubes will be opened. NH will also simultaneously construct the Tawi riverside retaining walls and other related work.
As per sources flood water breached the approach road not only because of unprecedented flow of 4.62 lakh cusec water in the Tawi on September 6 but also due to no protection work, which was left halfway notwithstanding repeated letters to the higher authorities warning of possible damage to the structure.
