Delayed works on Godavari river to trouble pilgrims
Bridge not to be ready by Pushakarlu
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2014-11-26 07:36 GMT
Karimnagar: The high-level bridge being constructed across Godavari river near Kaleshwaram village in Mahadevapur mandal and Sironcha of Maharashtra may take one more year for completion while its deadline is June, 2015.
Consequently, devotees of Maharashtra will be forced to rely on private boats and ferries to reached the Sri Kaleshwara-Muktheswara Swamy temple at Kaleshwaram and take part in Pushkaralu, slated for July, 2015.
In order to ease hurdles involved in crossing the river to reach Telangana, the Mahashtra government had decided to build the 1.62-km bridge at an estimated cost of Rs 241.7 crore in 2011. Once complete, the bridge would reduce the distance between Hyderabad and Raipur, the capital city of Chattisgarh.
After obtaining technical clearances and finalising the design, Manthena Infratech Private Limited began execution of the works in December, 2012. But the works were often hindered by the flow of the river and unseasonal rains. The untimely rains registered in March last halted the works for many months.
“Due to continuous flow of the river, we are not able to dig pits for erecting piers (also called pillars). Some more pillars need to be built,” said a representative of the executing agency. He attributed the delay to the river in spate and unseasonal rains. However, he exuded confidence that the construction would be completed by 2016.
“Our engineers and workers are working hard to finish the bridge as early as possible,” he added.
On November 6, Maharashtra governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao inspected the works and told the agency to expedite the construction. Meanwhile, BJP district leaders submitted a representation to the governor, seeking fast completion of the bridge in view of Pushkaralu.