Every time Public Works Department (PWD) installs height barrier at both ends of Gowari Flyover, heavy vehicle drivers soon find a way to get past them. This has happened on several occasions. The department has to submit proposal for the provision of the amount for manufacturing the barrier and its installation each time. This time, PWD has manufactured a barrier heavier than the previous ones. The design of the barrier too is a little different. It will have an anchor. In case a heavy vehicle hits the barrier, the vehicle is likely to get damaged and not the barrier. Krusha Gharde, Executive Engineer, World Bank Division, PWD told ‘The Hitavada’, “We have started the process. The iron barrier is not only heavier but it will be the anchorage one. The estimated cost was chalked out and it is in the workshop. In a week’s time, the work of installing the barrier will be done.” Earlier also, PWD had installed the height barriers but some truckers broke it and started commuting on the flyover. Since these activities took place late night, police failed to nab the culprits.

 

This time with an aim to end this problem, police have decided to keep strict vigilance after the erection of height barriers. Gharde pointed out that the responsibility of installing the barrier is of PWD. The department is doing it scrupulously. PWD has also planned to lay the speed-breakers on both sides so that the heavy vehicles get enough time to see the display board and take a service road. Plus slowing of vehicles makes the job of police easy in preventing those from entering the bridge. “But this time we have asked police department to take care that no heavy vehicle enters on the flyover from either side. It is the duty of the police to keep vigil,” Gharde made it clear. The barriers will be erected at Rahate Colony Square and at Morris T-point.

 

When this flyover was built, the Government agencies had made it clear that movement of heavy vehicles is prohibited. The engineers then had made it clear that the movement of heavy vehicles would reduce the lifespan of the bridge. Private travel buses, huge trucks, JCBs regularly use the bridge. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Archit Chandak said, “The movement of heavy vehicles on this bridge is the cause of concern. Police presence is there 24x7 to catch the violators and action is also taken regularly but the movement does not stop. This will damage the flyover and reduce its life. I shall talk to the Police Inspector concerned and take the measures. We too will cooperate with PWD. Quick police action will break the habit of truckers demolishing the barrier.” Some structural engineers pointed out that the bridge has developed some cracks.

 

There can be several factors responsible for the cracks but the foremost is movement of heavy vehicles on it. It increases the load on the bridge. These engineers expressed fear that the bridge may face issue like the one is being witnessed at Butibori flyover. The rule of speed limit (40) and prohibition to overtake too are not followed at Gowari flyover. For some days now, 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 put a stop on speedsters. Even the vehicles of senior police officers too don’t follow the speed rules. Overtake is being done rampantly without the violators getting caught.