Four new bridges to be ready by month-end

NASHIK: As part of the Kumbh Mela works, the public works department (PWD) is constructing four new bridges in the city and is expecting to complete the task before month-end.
The new bridges are coming up parallel to the existing one near Indraprasth Mangal Karyalay, Sant Janardan Bridge near Nandur-Manur village, over the Waldevi in Deolali and Agartakli near Nashik Road.
Of the total funds worth Rs 1,052.61 crore allotted for Kumbh-related works, Rs 24 crore has been sanctioned for the construction of these bridges. The tender and work order for the bridges was given in June-July 2014.
“We have completed 90% of the construction work. We will finish the entire task by May-end,” said C B Aher, deputy engineer, PWD.
The slab work of the one parallel to Sant Janardan Bridge has been completed and that at Agartakli will be finished in another 15-20 days.
The PWD has completed railing work on 60 mt of the 120-mt Sant Janardan bridge. Besides, similar work on 30 mt of the bridge at Agartakli has also been done.
Deputy engineer Nitin Rajput, in-charge of the bridges at Indraprasth and over the Waldevi, said, “The slab work at the 120-mt bridge near Indraprasth Mangal Karyalay has been completed. The railing work has been done as well. We are working on the approach roads to the bridges. One last slab is being laid on the 70-mt Waldevi Bridge and the work on the approach roads is underway simultaneously. We are yet to complete its railing work.”
An official of the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) said all the bridges are being constructed in a speedy manner.
“We did not have a full-time municipal commissioner when the work order was given. Besides, the code of condusct was also in place for the Lok Sabha elections. However, the progress of work is good. Taking into account the floating and stationary populations in the city during Kumbh Mela, there would be traffic congestion if people use only the existing bridges.
The bridges are 10-12 mt wide and are used for two-way traffic. Having parallel bridges will help the commuters use them for one-way travel thereby reducing congestion,” he added.