Serpentine bridge in Bhopal under scanner for poor design, dangerous position of dividers
Bhopal: A railway overbridge (ROB) designed in the shape of a snake at Subhash Nagar in the city is under scrutiny for its shape as well as the poorly positioned dividers.
This is the second structure in Bhopal that has drawn criticism for its poor design. A couple of weeks ago, authorities concerned were severely criticised for the construction of a bridge in Aishbagh with a 90-degree turn, reports India Today.
The ROB, which was planned to be a link between Maida Mill and Prabhat petrol bunk, has been constructed at a cost of Rs 40 crore and was opened for public use two years ago. Although it has eased traffic congestion in Subhash Nagar, the cases of accidents related to the dividers on the stretch have given rise to questions on the flaws in the design. The serpentine structure and the poor positioning and low height of the dividers have made it difficult for drivers to manoeuvre their vehicles on the stretch.
The vehicle drivers are learned to have lost control while negotiating the sharp turns while in one case, the car hit a road divider and overturned. A school van was damaged in another accident, after hitting the divider.
Structural engineer and bridge expert Prakhar Pagaria has expressed serious concern over the design, stating that serpentine bridges are inherently risky. He also said that such designs should be used only in case of space constraints that leave no alternative.
Although no fatality was reported during the accidents, the recurring accidents have given rise to worry about risk of lives being lost while traveling on the bridge. The need for the government as well as the civic authorities to review the bridge and take corrective measures by assessing its design is considered urgent.
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Chlorine gas leaks at defunct water purification plant in Pune; 24 persons hospitalised
Pune, Apr 30 (PTI): At least 22 residents and two firemen were hospitalised after a chlorine gas leakage at Kondhwa in Pune after midnight on Thursday, fire officials said.
The leak originated from an abandoned tank containing chlorine at a defunct water purification plant godown in the Gangadham area around 1 am, they said.
"Following the leak and the subsequent spread of gas, residents in the vicinity complained of breathlessness. Upon receiving the call, fire teams were dispatched. Several citizens were evacuated, and the leaking tank was patched using safety equipment," a fire official said.
During the operation, 22 residents and two fire personnel complained of breathlessness and were rushed to the hospital, he said.
A man who previously operated the water purification plant at the site said he had dismantled the unit, but the tank containing chlorine appeared to have remained unattended and developed a leak.
"All the affected residents and the two fire personnel are out of danger and currently under observation at Sassoon General Hospital," the official said.
