Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad   

Users dread this bridge at night

By Suresh Krishnamoorthy

HYDERABAD DEC. 9. Ever since the bridge over the railway tracks and the Ramakrishnapuram Railway Station came up about two years ago, people heaved a sigh of relief, for it made travel between Trimulgherry and ECIL crossroads via Sainikpuri and Neredmet easy.

When it was constructed at a cost of Rs. 5.5 crores and opened for traffic, none seemed to have realised that it was probably the only bridge in the State capital which does not have any streetlights. Also, it has 56 pillars supporting it, probably making it the only bridge in and around the twin cities with the maximum number of pillars.

The absence of lights led to many an accident on the bridge itself, but authorities seem to ignore the pleas of locals who have been trying to focus the attention of the powers-that-be on the fact that lack of lighting has been posing problems. "We have an accident every four days on the bridge," said P. Chandrasekhar, a ruling Telugu Desam Party leader in the area.

Only a week ago, a truck went off control and rammed into the side of the bridge from the Trimulgherry-end. "Thankfully, the steel and concrete railing could take the impact. Otherwise, the truck would have fallen from the bridge onto the busy road below", says the ward councillor, Indirapriyadarshini.

When contacted, the Chairperson of the municipality, V. Sarada Mahesh, said, "We know that in the original proposal, no provision has been made for lights. However, we are trying to solve the problem by having two high-mast lights on either end of the bridge. By February 15, 2004, these lights will be in place, illuminating the bridge and we hope that will solve the problem."

Mr. Chandrasekhar does not accept the contention of the chairperson. "The bridge is not a straight structure. Except for the approaches, the high-mast lights will only illuminate the area around the bridge, than the structure itself", he said.

The Municipal Commissioner, K. Sivaparvati, agreed that there could have been a lapse in planning. "We have to look into the matter to see whose responsibility it is, to have lighting on the bridge. If it is the job of the municipality, we shall certainly take up the matter", she said.

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