Saleem Javed & Gracy Tripathy
Shivapuram, Jan 05: A newly constructed walkway by NHIDCL at Shivapuram area of Middle Andaman along Andaman Trunk road collapsed recently after a truck load of earth was dumped on the walkway.
Villagers were surprised and shocked to see the damages and alleged that the walkway was not strong enough to bear the weight. Many demanded inquiry on this issue.
A few villagers shared photographs of the walkway with Andaman Sheekha Daily and claimed that proper steel rods were not used for the said construction work and hence such incident took place. “We are afraid to use the walkway, who knows when it will collapse again,” said a villager of Shivapuram.
Andaman Sheekha contacted Mr. Baljeet Singh, the Project Manger of the concerned contractor and questioned him regarding the damages.
The Project Manger of the contractor however blamed the truck driver who dumped nearly 24 tones of earth on the walkway, which according to him caused the damage.
“As it was night the truck driver dumped earth over the walkway and also hit the walkway with the loaded truck, which resulted in collapse of a section. The walkways are designed to bear the weight of human being and not trucks, loaded with earth,” replied the Project Manager.
When asked about allegations of not using sufficient steel rods for the construction work, the Project Mangers argued that proper steels rods were used but the load was so much that it collapsed.
Meanwhile, the Project Manager has assured to repair the walkway immediately.
Villagers of the area are now requesting the DC or North and Middle Andaman Island to send a team to the site and inspect the standard of the said work for the sake of public safety.
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