Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Works Department has ordered an intensive technical inspection of Haladiapadar Road Overbridge (ROB), almost a fortnight a horrific accident claimed five lives on the structure on the outskirts of Berhampur.
The move comes amid growing public outcry and allegations regarding the bridge’s “hazardous design”.
According to an official communication from the Research Development & Quality Promotion (R&B) wing, chief engineers of different departments are scheduled to make a site visit on February 16 for a detailed technical inspection, following which they will submit a report along with findings and specific recommendations for necessary remedial measures.
It has requested for details on the specific damages and cracks observed at the site, which would require non-destructive testing (NDT) to assess the condition and quality of the structure, along with records of previous inspections and
repair works carried out in the ROB, from the authorities concerned.
On January 31, five persons were crushed to death after a speeding truck, allegedly moving on the wrong side, rammed into three motorcycles on the ROB. Several others were injured in the crash and were rushed to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur. The truck driver was later arrested.
A day later, a three-member crash investigation team of State Transport Authority (STA) visited the site to enquire about different aspects of the accident, including fitness of the truck and if there was any fault of the driver and others, after Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena ordered a probe into the accident.
Serious questions were also raised over the structural safety of the ROB constructed in 2013 at a railway level crossing to link National Highway-16 with Berhampur City. It is alleged that the original design was altered during construction, resulting in sharp curves, narrow carriageways and inadequate approach roads that have turned it into what locals call a dangerous “death trap”.
Berhampur MP Pradeep Panigrahy had also flagged the faulty design of the overbridge, alleging that it led to frequent accidents. “We had urged the chief minister to rectify the faults through a letter on October 1 last year,” he said.