Moving from plains to hilly districts can be life threatening, work of lifeline bridges stuck

Delhi: All three bridges of Haldwani are important to connect the plain area with the mountain in Kumaon division of Uttarakhand, but their work is stuck due to the poor attitude of the system. Necessary river training is to be done for the safety of Gaula bridge, but the budget has not been approved for this. In such a situation, the possibility of danger if the river is in spate during monsoon cannot be ruled out.

At the same time, the contractor could not be found even after four tenders for the construction of Kalsia bridge in Kathgodam. The construction of Ranibagh bridge has been pushed ahead by three months. Now it is being said that it will take one more month for the bridge to be ready. Among the three bridges of Haldwani region, Gaula bridge is very important for the movement of the vehicles of the hills as well as for the movement of the people of Gaulapar area.

The old bridge collapsed in 2011 due to indiscriminate illegal mining under the Gaula bridge. The new bridge built after that has also been affected by illegal mining. In October last year, the approach wall connecting to the road on the western side of the bridge collapsed due to a strong current in the river.

Also, the pillars were also badly damaged. However, after that the approach wall was made and other works are being done at present. But the experts of IIT had asked to stop the mining work for the safety of the bridge. Along with this, river training was asked to channelize the Gaula river. NHAI had authorized PWD for this work. Rs 23 crore was sought from the central government for river training, but the budget has not been approved. Here, now the monsoon is about to start. In such a situation, the question of the safety of the bridge is also arising.

Due to illegal mining in the Gaula river, the flow of water is towards the banks in the western part. In such a situation, there is a danger due to erosion towards the approach wall. According to experts, due to river training, water will flow in the middle of the river. This will keep the bridge safe.

A decision was taken to build a new bridge over the Kalsia drain in Kathgodam. The first tender process took place in October last year. But the work got delayed due to non-receipt of permission to stop operations. In February, the contractor refused to work, saying that the construction material was expensive. After this no application came in the tender process after three. However, work is being done on it by installing Valley Bridge.

Two-lane bridge is being constructed on Ranibagh-Bhimtal road. Its work was to be completed in March and the operation of vehicles was to start from April. But the bridge work has been delayed by three months. It is being said that it will take another month. LND officials are telling the delay in the approach wall break in monsoon, traffic pressure and delay in getting permission to cut the mountain.

We had prepared the approach wall of Gaula bridge and other security works are going on. Lonvi was authorized for river training. From there the proposal has been sent. The work will be done once the budget is approved.