Dakshina Kannada DC Orders NHAI, PWD to Submit Overdue Bridge Safety Reports

Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Mullai Muhilan has issued show-cause notices to officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Public Works Department (PWD) for neglecting to submit a safety report on bridges along highways.

During a meeting held on Saturday at the Deputy Commissioner's office to discuss road and bridge safety measures, the DC expressed displeasure over the delay. Despite earlier instructions to submit reports on the safety of bridges on national highways, state highways, and district roads, the concerned departments had failed to provide the necessary documentation.

During the District Disaster Management Authority meeting on August 8, instruction was issued to relevant departments, police and local urban and rural bodies, to conduct joint surveys of bridges on highways and submit their findings immediately. The DC has now ordered that the reports be submitted within 24 hours.

Muhilan emphasized that the safety of highways, which witness thousands of vehicles daily, cannot be compromised. Consequently, show cause notices were issued to the Project Director of NHAI and the Executive Engineer of PWD, holding them accountable for the lapse.

Specifically, the DC criticized the NHAI for its prolonged inaction regarding the old Kuloor bridge on the national highway. The DC expressed deep dissatisfaction with the NHAI’s Project Director, pointing out the lack of clarity on the completion of the new bridge project, which has been stalled indefinitely.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Anand, Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Panchayat, Superintendent of Police Yatish, DCP (Traffic) Dinesh Kumar, Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr. Santosh Kumar, and other officials.