Cracks in Chugitti overbridge on NH

Following the reports of cracks in the approach road of the Chugitti overbridge from the Jalandhar side towards Amritsar and Pathankot, senior administrative officials today checked the site to ensure the safety of the commuters.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Himanshu Aggarwal, Commissioner of Police Dhanpreet Kaur and Deputy Commissioner of Police Naresh Dogra along with officials of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), conducted a joint inspection of the overbridge this morning. They noticed cracks forming on the surface and observed soil seeping out from the edges of the road.

The overbridge gets heavy traffic, especially trucks heading towards Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Jammu and parts of HP. Upon receiving the opinion of the NHAI officials, the police deployed at the site and kept traffic cones around the affected area so that it did not receive more vehicular pressure.

Aggarwal said owing to heavy rainfall for the past few days, several structures, including overbridges, were partly affected. "Along with the NHAI officials, we assessed the stability of various bridges and overbridges, especially along the highways. We will take all those steps that are required to ensure the smooth traffic movement and public safety during the ongoing monsoon spell", he said.

CP Dhanpreet Kaur said, "We are contemplating on route plans or diversions that can be given to heavy vehicles owing to safety concerns for the next few days. We also do not want to harass the public. Our teams are working on it and we shall have some plan for traffic management for such bridges and intersections soon".