ON A WAR FOOTING: Repair works apace on the diversion road, which was washed away in flash floods at Kanagal in Nalgonda district on Monday --PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL

KANAGAL (NALGONDA DT.): Delay in taking up reconstruction of Kanagal bridge, the major road link between Nalgonda and Mahabubnagar districts, is causing concern for thousands of commuters.

The bridge, which caved in due to heavy rain and flash floods on October 29, 2005, the day the Delta Fast Passenger was washed away resulting in the death of more than 100 passengers at Valigonda, was declared unfit for repairs. It developed major cracks and some of the pillars started sinking posing serious threat to the travellers.

The R&B constructed a diversion road cutting across the Kanagal rivulet by spending Rs.7.5 lakhs but it was washed way on three occasions in the past one year.

Due to lack of timely response from the people's representatives, the officials have been taking up repairs for the temporary diversion road. "As a major portion of the road was washed away five days ago due to rains, we have once again taken up repair work," an official of the R&B told The Hindu . Hundreds of trucks of earth is being filled to restore the road as vehicular traffic on both sides came to a standstill.

Villagers doubtful

However, the villagers are sceptical about its durability. "It is a futile exercise as the rivulet is bound to wash away the road. Instead of spending on the repairs for the diversion road, they should focus on the reconstruction of the bridge," a villager said.

The 260-metre bridge, constructed during the Nizam's regime, was said to be the first RCC Bridge in the State. Though a portion of the bridge is strong till date, over exploitation of sand from the Kanagal vagu has resulted in the present fiasco.

According to official sources, the Government has sanctioned Rs.4 crores for the reconstruction of the bridge and tenders have to be finalised.

"We hope the process will be completed within a month and the new bridge will be ready by next year," an official maintained.

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