Commuters at risk on broken-down flyover

Nikhila Pant Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, June 23

The Buildings & Roads Department is waiting for funds before it can start the repairs and maintenance of the Multania flyover, which has been crying for upkeep for long.

Gaping potholes, which have developed on the flyover, have become a problem for the commuters.

While reasons for the potholes on the bridges may range from use of sub-standard material for laying the roads, frequent plying of heavy vehicles or accumulation of water during the monsoon season, the commuters believe that the departments concerned have turned a blind eye to the upkeep of the bridge.

The situation becomes more troublesome during the monsoon season when potholes hid under water.

Accepting that the responsibility of the upkeep of the flyover was with the B&R Department, SDO Vishal Garg said, “The Multania flyover is very old. Proper repairs of the flyover has not been undertaken in all these years. The main problem with the flyover is that of maintaining the weep holes that are left on the flyovers to aid the disposal of rainwater and any kind of water stagnating on the flyover.”

He added that it had been commonly seen that these weep holes were further dug up by rats and the sealing material is also destroyed, which caused depressions in the flyover roads and footpaths.

“The B&R Department has written to the government to release funds for the repairs of the flyover. About two months ago, we had submitted an estimate, along with a proposal, for the repairs of the roads. We have submitted an estimate of Rs 1 crore for full-fledged repairs of the flyover,” he said.

Mayor Balwant Rai Nath said the responsibility of the maintenance of the flyover was with the B&R Department.

“A year ago, I had written a letter to the B&R Department in which I had asked officials to repair the Multania flyover at the earliest. The condition of the flyover is quite pathetic as its railings have become weak and footpath bricks have started coming off. At that time, even the department concerned had installed a warning signboard stating that the railing was weak and that people should not stand taking the support of railing,” he said.

The commuters have demanded that the flyover be repaired without any delay.

Gurpreet Singh, a student, said, “Oblivious of the fact that the flyover is a lifeline for the residents living across the railway lines, the government departments are looking the other way. Travelling through the over-bridges and under-bridges becomes dangerous during the monsoon season as one has to be extra cautious of the potholes.”

Shopkeeper Sandeep Kumar said there was always a danger lurking around for the pedestrians on the flyover.

“There are gaping holes on the footpath and the road. A pedestrian may fall into the pits, especially during the night. Despite the fact that the B&R Department has done some patchwork on some of the depressions on the roads, a lot still needs to be done,” he said.