Height restriction ‘no barrier’ at Ajni bridge
| Date :19-Nov-2020 |
This is the regular feature at Ajni bridge. Heavy vehicles like this truck have a free pass through the side lane where the height restriction bar does not exist. (Pic by Anil Futane)
By Vikas Vaidya :
With no barrier, heavy vehicles move to and fro freely
Height restriction bars installed at the approach of Ajni Rail Over Bridge (ROB) are actually proving to be no barriers at all for the heavy vehicles that are having a free to and fro passage. For, no authority appears to be bothered to restore the damaged part of height restriction barrier. For, no authority appears to be bothered to take action against heavy vehicles using this ROB despite restrictions. For, no authority appears to be bothered about ‘effective implementation’ part of the restrictions. As a result, ROB is serving as a convenient passageway for heavy vehicles like trucks.
Trucks plying to and fro the bridge is a regular sight at Ajni ROB. Obviously, clear orders imposing restrictions on their movement on the bridge have been thrown to the wind. Along with the restrictions, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) had installed height restriction bars at the approach to the bridge last year. Unfortunately, one part of the height barrier got damaged or was brought down by miscreants. Now, the side lane portion (where ROB turns towards Chunabhatti direction) has no barrier as on date. The same side lane or passage is being used by heavy vehicles to move on to the bridge and turn towards Chunabhatti.
This is not only violation of order but also a cause of concern for all. Because, according to experts, movement of heavy vehicles may cause serious damage to the bridge. Already, the bridge is over 100 years old and is not capable of bearing the load. The technical experts’ team of Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) had submitted a report long ago, advising the authorities that traffic should be stopped completely. But, the authorities concerned have been neglecting the same. The miscreants’ act of bringing down the height restriction barrier in one portion and no one raising the issue indicates casual approach of general public.
The bridge is bearing the load of heavy vehicles despite outliving its utility. If no steps are taken on an urgent basis, the ROB users may someday face a major mishap. In that case, public and authorities both will have to share the blame for ignoring the safety aspect. In the first week of December 2019, NMC had installed height bars at both ends of Ajni bridge to prevent heavy vehicles from using it. This was done after ‘The Hitavada’ had raised the issue.
Despite the orders of the competent authorities, heavy vehicles kept commuting, thereby causing damage to this over 100 years old bridge. Subsequently, the bars on one side were damaged. Still, heavy traffic was prevented to a good extent as bars on the other side were intact. However, recently, bar on the ROB end turning towards Chunabhatti direction, simply disappeared. This, precisely, is the portion being used by heavy vehicles that keep on using the bridge. Often, they make a wrong side move on to the bridge. It is convenient for the heavy vehicles coming from Railway Men’s School or Government Medical College and Hospital to use the bridge to go to other side. But, such convenience overlooks safety aspect. “Horrible! Simply horrible! This may lead to collapse of the bridge resulting in a major mishap,” said an expert. Heavy vehicles would bring the bridge into big trouble, warn experts. VNIT and Central Railway were of the opinion that the bridge should be closed down completely for traffic. Central Railway, Public Works Department, NMC had held a meeting. Sadly, it led to no visible change on ground. Of late, the authorities have been blaming everything on to COVID-19 pandemic, and saying that tackling the pandemic was top priority. This reason may be valid. But, the violators are not on the same page. So, the situation on ground is risky to say the least.
NMC, cops must act in time Abhijeet Bangar, the then Municipal Commissioner, had acted swiftly and installed height bars on both ends of the bridge to prevent heavy vehicles. However, the same night, some miscreants damaged the bar. The very next day, NMC installed the bars again. Traffic Conrtol Branch of City Police under Chinmay Pandit, the then Deputy Commissioner of Police, too monitored the situation so that people should not face any traffic chaos and heavy vehicles should not violate the rules. Non-cooperation from public was visible. For, one could see people moving as per their whims and fancies. There is an urgent need for the cops and the civic body to work together and act to ensure public safety. VNIT report had clearly stated that since the bridge was not capable of carrying the load beyond its capacity, traffic should be prohibited. If that is done successfully, the bridge can be used for five more years. Else, it needs to be demolished and second one has to be constructed.
No solution to traffic chaos yet Nagpur Metro, which carved Jail Road (from Kriplani Square to Ajni Railway Station), somehow resolved the traffic issues at Kriplani Square. But, problems at its other end near Ajni bridge continue to trouble people. Nagpur Metro did try some solution there too, but later left it to the people. Gradually, people, too, forgot about it and kept finding their ways in a haphazard manner through the chaos, as usual. Ajni ROB junction near railway station entrance never had a traffic signal. As such, everybody learned to move on his or her own risk. Traffic used to operate in a very haphazard manner. Vehicles coming from Ajni bridge used to go towards Chunabhatti or towards Ajni railway station, as per good sense of drivers/riders. Vehicles also used to move from railway station straight towards Chunabhatti and from Chunabhatti towards railway station, without turning towards the ROB. This traffic also crosses the junction along with the vehicles moving to and fro other directions. Traffic from both directions always gets mixed up. Often, vehicles stop right in front of another coming from different direction. The newly carved Jail Road has just added to the woes of people crossing the junction. The authorities do not seem to have given a deeper thought to the potential chaotic situation. Also, the people appear to have ‘adjusted’ themselves to new reality, as usual, without demanding any solution to the problem. With change of guard in City Police and in civic body, one can hope that the exercise of finding solution to the issues at Ajni ROB begins afresh.