Two days ago, the Public Works Department (PWD) installed height barriers on both sides of the Sitabuldi flyover to prevent the entry of heavy vehicles. This time, the department had taken precautions and followed the suggestions of Traffic Police. Despite following all the instructions, a truck hit the barrier on the Freedom Park Square side on late Wednesday night. The hit was so intense that the barrier came down. This is sixth or seventh time that the height barrier was hit by a truck. This was not the first attempt where the truck hit the barrier. After immediate installation of the height barrier two days ago, a private travel bus driver tried to move the vehicle from under the height barrier installed at the Rahate Colony side of the flyover.

 

However, the crowd gathered at the spot compelled the driver to beat a hasty retreat. But last night, there was no one to stop the truck. This project is being handled by World Bank Unit of PWD. A few months ago, it had installed height barriers on both ends of the bridge. However, truck drivers ignored them and damaged the barriers on both sides. The High Court has taken suo motu cognisance and ordered the authorities to install height barriers. Accordingly, Commissioner of Police Dr Ravinder Kumar Singal asked PWD to do the procedure. The lights were put on the sign board. Secondly, both the entries--from Rahate Colony Chowk and from Freedom Park Square -- speed breaker was constructed. The lights were embossed on the board to make the driver understand that the vehicle can’t enter the flyover.

 

The speed-breaker was constructed to compel a heavy vehicle to slow down so that driver could read the sign board. With the Winter Session of State Legislature beginning in Nagpur on December 8, the administration hurriedly installed speed breakers on both ends of the flyover and reinstalled height barriers. But last night, the driver of a truck, unable to control its speed, rammed into the barrier and completely smashed it. Looking at the condition of the barrier, it appears that the truck must have been at a very high speed, as the heavy iron structure is fully bent. It also indicates that vehicles passing through the city at night neither read the signboards nor reduce their speed while entering the flyover. The flyover is originally designed for light and medium vehicles.

 

According to engineering analysis and technical safety standards, the bridge can’t bear the load of heavy trucks, containers, or large cargo carriers. Yet, such vehicles continue to use it freely day and night. The rule of speed limit (40) and prohibition to overtake too are not followed strictly. For some days in the past, police had conducted activity of checking speed of the vehicles with the help of a speed gun. Police have nabbed the violators and imposed fine. But that activity did not bring any curb on speedsters. Even the vehicles of senior police officers too don’t follow the speed rules. Overtaking is rampant without the violators getting caught. Social worker Dr Pravin Dabli has demanded that the administration should find a permanent solution to this persistent problem. He stated that strict monitoring should be ensured and heavy fines should be imposed on vehicles violating the rules. Now, PWD has to install height barrier again. On the last occasion, it had gone through financial crunch due to which, the contractor concerned refused to accept the work.