DAV flyover cries for care, poses risk to commuters

Our Correspondent

Jalandhar, February 22

Though the controversy pertaining to “faulty design” of the newly constructed PAP flyover is yet to settle down, reports of laxity on the part of the authorities concerned to repair the DAV flyover have generated more heat on the issue of commuters’ safety.

Breakages and gaping holes, which have developed on the flyover, have become a problem for the commuters.

While reasons for the breakages on bridges may range from use of substandard material, frequent plying of heavy vehicles or accumulation of water, the commuters believe that the departments concerned have turned a blind eye to the upkeep of the bridge.

Gurjit Singh Batra, who spotted these breakages and brought the issue to this correspondent, said, the deterioration, appearing on both sides of the flyover, had put a serious question mark not only over the quality of construction but also on the ignorance on the part of the authorities, which failed to get it repaired even after many complaints.

Another commuter Pankaj Mehta said: “Many commuters like me are regular users of the flyover and such breakages that too near its pillars invite accidents. The flyover is one of the busiest routes in the city and over thousands of people use it on a daily basis. Thus, even a small shortcoming on the bridge may put hundreds of lives at risk. The breakages are easily visible and need immediate repair.”

He said supervising officials of the Building and Road Department of the Municipal Corporation should ensure its maintenance to avoid any untoward incident.

Another commuter said: “The public is paying development tax and it’s the duty of the government to ensure commuters’ safety by maintaining roads and bridges,” he said, adding that the flyover was built many years ago and it never underwent any maintenance after that.

Meanwhile, MC Commissioner Diprava Lakra could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

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