Traffic to resume on Kali Bridge soon

The minister was speaking to reporters after inspecting the repair works with the officials of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and officials from the private company carrying out the repairs.

The works were undertaken as the hinge bearings and the bench curvatures of the plungers had worn off posing the threat of a possible bridge collapse in the future.

“The engineers have informed that they are finding it difficult to dismantle plungers from the old hinge bearing in order to fix the new plungers. However, they are working around it and the bridge will be repaired soon,” the minister said. The Kali bridge, which is a part of National Highway 17, is considered to be the lifeline of Coastal Karnataka and is the only link between Karnataka and Goa. “Given this, NHAI officials and representatives from  the company will finish their inspection and present their report as soon as possible,” Asnotikar informed.

The minister added that slim plates will be fitted to eight hinge bearings and the bridge will be opened as soon as the work is complete. NHAI Assistant Executive Engineer Ramadas Harikanthra and Prabhakar Patil from the private company were present during the inspection.