Bhagalpur, Bihar: The Bhagalpur Vikramshila Bridge is in a crucial stage with its expansion joints deteriorating and the gap increasing by five inches in the span of nine months. The reason behind this damage is likely due to the overload on the bridge and a lack of expert inspections. Some of the expansion joints had already deteriorated nine months ago, and some more are on the way. While waiting for the expert inspection, more damage has been done. Needless to say, the lifeline of Eastern Bihar is at serious risk.
Looking at the seriousness of the situation, several letters were written the headquarters about six to seven times in the last 10 months. However, no expert inspection was sent. Not only are the expansion joints, but the state of the road is also ruined. The officials need to make quick decisions, or else the existence of the Bhagalpur Vikramshila Bridge will be in danger. This condition is causing traffic jams and accidents of vehicles on a daily basis. In a recent accident, two vehicles collided on the bridge, causing injury to six people. On the request of the Executive Engineer of the National Highway, the Chief Engineer had asked the Bridge Construction Corporation to investigate the bridge and submit a report. However, the officials paid no attention to the instructions.
Despite sending several reminders, the officials have not investigated the matter. The Bhagalpur Vikramshila Bridge extension gap has increased at several places, including pole numbers 89, 113, 125, 128, 141, and 148. Due to this current condition, the Ganges has become visible from the gap of the joint.
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Why is the Bhagalpur Vikramshila Bridge Expansion Joint Gap Increasing?
The reason behind the increase in the Bhagalpur Vikramshila Bridge expansion joint is the failure of the bridge’s bearings. This issue causes a thudding sound every time a vehicle passes over the road of the bridge. Excessive vibration on the bridge is not a good sign. It makes the travellers question the safety of the bridge. Moreover, because of the expansion joint, the gap between the railings has also increased. This causes the vehicles to brake repeatedly, causing traffic jams on a daily basis.
The work on the Bhagalpur Vikramshila Bridge started 24 years ago, under the supervision of the Bridge Construction Corporation, Khagaria. The bridge was constructed keeping in mind about 20 to 25 thousand vehicle loads daily. Presently, along with that number, about five thousand more heavy vehicles carrying several tonnes are part of the daily routine on this bridge, increasing the load. It was first repaired by a Mumbai-based agency in 2016 at an expense of 15 crores. Along with expansion joints and bearing alterations, mastic was laid on the bridge road. The agency claimed that the road will be completely damage-free for the next 20 years and won’t need any kind of repair work for the next 10 years. On the contrary, the bridge needed repair within six years.
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