FLOOD FURY: The former Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh looking at the submerged jackwell of the drinking water supply scheme to Jewargi near Kattisangavi bridge in Gulbarga district on Wednesday.

GULBARGA: Vishwanath, an expert in dam and bridge safety, and Secretary (Public Works) Shivakumar would inspect the Kattisangavi bridge across the Bhima.

The former Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh, who inspected the cracks on the approach roads to the bridge and temporary strengthening works on the structure, taken up by the Public Works Department spoke to Public Works Minister H.D. Revanna over phone from Kattisangavi bridge.

He requested the Minister to send a team of senior officials to inspect the damage caused to the bridge and take corrective measures immediately.

Mr. Revanna told Mr. Singh that Mr. Vishwanath and Mr. Shivakumar would be sent to Kattisangavi bridge on Thursday. The bridge, which has become weak at some points, was constructed in 1954.

The floods in the Bhima for two successive years have weakened the approach roads to the bridge.

During last year's floods also, the approach roads developed cracks and despite some strengthening works taken up last year, the problem recurred.

Senior officials of the PWD told Mr. Singh that there was no immediate threat to the bridge and that emergency works had been taken up. When Mr. Singh sought to know from officials whether they had sought expert opinion or requested the Government to send an expert team to inspect the bridge, the officials replied in the negative.

Mr. Singh also wanted to know the estimated cost of the project for reconstructing the approach road, but for this also the officials did not have an answer.

An exasperated Mr. Singh later decided to talk to Mr. Revanna and the Secretary (Public Works). First, Mr Singh spoke to Mr. Shivakumar and then to Mr. Revanna.

Mr. Singh, who inspected the havoc caused by floods in the villages on the banks of the river in Jewargi taluk, expressed serious concern over the lack of relief measures.

He visited the flooded Kattisangavi low-level bridge. He asked the officials to make alternative arrangements to restore power to 12 villages.

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