John Wilbert & Rabindranath Biswas
Port Blair, December 01: The Steel Bridge over the Laxmipur Nallah in Ward Number 03 area under the Gram Panchayat Laxmipur is posing threat to the lives of the villagers.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, Mr. Sujan Kumar Das, Pradhan Gram Panchayat Laxmipur, Diglipur said that this 50-metre-long Steel bridge was constructed nearly 20 years ago and it provides connectivity to Laxmi Pur Ward Number 03 area.
The bridge has now become weak due to rusting of iron pillars and iron plates, rendering considerable damage to the structure, the Pradhan said. The dilapidated bridge, the lone link, however, continues to be the lifeline for many villagers living in the area, Mr Das said.
“The bridge provides connectivity to 50 families near about 450 population, in ward number 03. And the floor Plate of the bridge got rusted at several places. Residents have to use this bridge as they have no other option to reach ward number 03.
If immediate steps aren’t taken to strengthen the bridge, any tragedy may take place, the alarmed Pradhan cautioned. “The dilapidated bridge is a threat to villagers, especially in the rainy season when the heavy force of water passes under the bridge. The Administration has failed to rebuild the bridge even though hundreds of people use it on a daily basis” residents of the area said.
“The paper work for the renovation and construction of the bridge was completed a few years ago, but the work is yet to be started, villagers said. While Mr. Sujan Kumar Das said that the condition of the bridge is going from bad to worse with every passing day. At present, the Pradhan has put a prohibition on the loaded trucks and other heavy vehicles to cross the bridge, as it may collapse any time.
Villagers are facing the inconveniences due to the alleged apathy of the Administration and have been struggling to get the basic facilities, the Pradhan said. “For the past many years, I have been running from pillar to post to get the steel bridge reconstructed, but the authorities concerned are not serious about the plight of people,” alleged Mr. Das.
When asked about the matter, an official APWD, Diglipur told Andaman Sheekha that the Dept has planned to repair the steel bridge and an estimate of the bridge has also been prepared to replace the plates and repair work. Once the estimate is approved by the Administration, the work will be started, the official further said.
