Over 50 bridges in shabby state, most still in use

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru:

The Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL) has recommended the strengthening of bridges across the state, many of which are in use. The KRDCL is a company under the Public Works, Ports and Inland Water Transport Department that was established to promote surface infrastructure by taking up road works, construction, and redevelopment of bridges.

The state government had instructed the KRDCL to prepare a detailed feasibility report (DFR) on the status of bridges, according to the announcement made during the 2022-23 budget session. According to media reports, the department prepared a report and submitted it to the government three months ago, but the government is yet to approve the budget.

A majority of the bridges are open to vehicular movement, while a few remain closed. Many of them were constructed close to 50 years ago and have turned weak due to increased vehicle density. The department needs to add new carriageways to some while the others need to be rebuilt to avoid any circumstance of a mishap.

Since most of these bridges play a vital role in keeping connectivity among districts, the authorities keep them open. 56 bridges are listed on the basis of the Bridge Condition Index, prepared by the Planning and Road Asset Management Centre. According to an estimate, the strengthening and restoration could cost Rs 1,350 crore.

Most of these bridges are located in the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada and Udupi. Once the project is approved, they will be shut down for at least a span of six months and could take up to three years for the project to be finished.