Downpour damages Raipur's newly built expressway

RAIPUR: A newly constructed overbridge connecting city's Fafadih-Telibandha-Atal Nagar surrendered to heavy rains even before its ribbon-cutting ceremony. On Thursday, a car collided with divider, when part of the road caved in. No causalities were reported. However, the quality of raw materials used in construction of the bridge drew flak from all.
Raipur has been witnessing heavy rainfall since Wednesday and the express way that connects city's ends was viewed as solution to traffic snarls.The bridge was opened for commuters even before its inauguration ceremony took place.
On Thursday, when a couple was crossing the bridge, a part of road sunk in, causing their car to overturn. Fortunately, there was no other vehicle coming from rear, thus averting a major accident. The couple had a narrow escape from the railing , else, the car would have fallen 20-feet down the bridge.
Survivors identified as Abhinav and Divya Shukla said that the car went three feet high in the air before crashing with the divider.
Major cracks are visible on the road leaving commuters more vulnerable to accidents.
Officials and engineers of Public Works Department rushed to the spot and repair work has begun. The Baghel-govt blamed previous BJP government under which the bridge was constructed.
Accusing Raman Singh-government of corruption and using poor quality raw material, Congress spokesperson, Dhananjay Singh Thakur said that former chief minister Raman Singh, former PWD minister Rajesh Munat and BJP MLA Srichand Sundrani were to be held responsible for the accident, who had celebrated building over-bridges in Raipur as their dream project.
Congress government hasn't inaugurated the express way yet as it was under quality check and before the process could complete, an accident took place, he added, alleging that there was no quality checks nor any parameters of construction were properly followed.
The incessant rain in Bastar region, particularly in Sukma, Bijapur and Bastar districts, have led to snapping of road links at various places due to overflowing rivers and rivulets, a local official said.
State Disaster Response Force, home guards and officials of various departments have been asked to stay alert to tackle rain-related emergencies.
Meanwhile, eight passenger trains were cancelled from Raipur to Visakhapatnam and several trains were diverted to other routes after the railway track of Sambalpur Railway division was washed away.