New norms for repair of British-era bridges

MUMBAI: To prevent a repeat of the 2016 Mahad bridge collapse that killed 41, the public works department (PWD) has issued a guideline to maintain stone masonry arch bridges across various rivers in the state.

A commission appointed to inquire the collapse of the bridge suggested various measures including pre-monsoon inspection of such bridges, use of reinforced cement concrete on damaged pillars and closing down of bridges in case of heavy rain. A government resolution (GR), outlining measures was then issued by the state. According to the GR, a detailed survey of these bridges should be carried out every three to five years as per guidelines of the Indian Road Congress.

The GR said, “If pillars of the stone bridge are found to be damaged, reinforcement should be carried out. If there is an arch bridge or base of the pillar has developed a cavity, the process of ‘cement mortar grounding’ should be done.”