Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: Alarm bells are ringing loud over the condition of the Saleri Bridge connecting Agonda and Khola villages in Canacona, as Non-Destructive Test (NDT) reports have returned alarming results, forcing authorities to carry out Destructive Tests (DT) through core-cutting for further laboratory analysis.
The bridge, which spans the Saleri river and has stood for over five decades, is now at the centre of safety concerns. According to sources, the inspection team from the Mobile Bridge Inspection Unit (MBIU) has raised serious red flags regarding the structural integrity of the bridge.
Following unconvincing and doubtful results from the initial NDT inspection, the MBIU team initiated core-cutting to assess the strength of the materials used in the bridge. The samples have been sent to a laboratory in Hyderabad for further analysis by the Mobile Diagnostic Investigation Unit (MDIU), with results expected within 15 days.
Initial findings indicate that the 1st and 4th pillars of the four-span bridge are critically weakened, while the remaining two pillars are only marginally better. Girders supporting the deck are reported to be in highly deteriorated and questionable condition.
The bridge’s health is being assessed on a five-category scale, with the fifth level indicating a ‘critical’ status, which could warrant immediate demolition. Locals are already convinced the bridge is beyond saving and are pressing the government for swift action.
“This bridge has outlived its lifespan, is now extremely unsafe and can collapse any time. It cannot handle regular traffic,” warned Khola resident and civic activist Jayram Pagui, who has been advocating for a new bridge for years. He reiterated that despite repeated representations, including a letter to the Chief Minister in May, no concrete action has followed since a PWD inspection in February.
Residents fear waiting for lab results could prove disastrous. “There is no time to wait 15 more days. The cement concrete is crumbling, the steel is rusted, and the bridge has turned dangerous for public use,” added Pagui.
The locals have called for the government’s immediate intervention, demanding that the bridge be decommissioned and replaced without further delay to avert any potential tragedy.
