The demolition of the remaining portions of the Kali Bridge in Kodibag, Karwar, is moving at a sluggish pace, causing frustration among local residents who are calling for faster action to clear the debris.
The Kali Bridge, which collapsed on the night of August 7, 2023, resulted in a 320-meter section falling into the river, while the remaining 330 meters of the bridge are still standing. In the aftermath of the collapse, experts have recommended that the intact portion of the bridge be demolished before the debris can be removed. Following these guidelines, the Infrastructure Development and Construction company, IRB, that won the contract for the demolition work, has begun the process.
Despite the initial phase of demolition being underway, local residents have raised concerns about the slow progress. The company is using large barges and heavy machinery to carry out the work in the Kali River, but the operations have been slower than expected.
Local resident Nagesh expressed his dissatisfaction with the pace of the demolition. “The work is moving at a very slow pace. If it continues like this, it could take another year to clear all the debris. It’s causing inconvenience to the people in the area,” he commented.
The process has been complicated by the need for a careful approach. A concrete safety wall along the side of the bridge is currently being dismantled. Once this is cleared, the demolition will proceed in stages. A barge equipped with a crane capable of lifting up to 5,000 tons is necessary for the next phase of the demolition. The arrival of this crane is expected to accelerate the process.
An official from IRB explained that the next phase of demolition will begin once the necessary equipment arrives. “Currently, we are working on clearing the safety wall, and then the remaining structure will be demolished in stages. The barge with the crane is expected soon, and once it arrives, we’ll be able to move much faster,” the official stated.
Despite these assurances, locals are growing impatient, and some have raised concerns about the safety of the remaining structure. Until the demolition is completed, the remnants of the Kali Bridge will remain a source of concern for both residents and commuters.
The demolition work, while necessary, has disrupted daily life in Kodibag. The debris from the collapsed bridge has affected traffic flow, and the removal process is taking longer than many had hoped. The bridge was an important part of the local infrastructure, and its collapse has left a void in connectivity for the community.
Residents are hoping that the demolition will be completed quickly, as it has become an eyesore and a potential safety hazard. Once the bridge remnants are cleared, it is expected that work will begin on constructing a new bridge to replace the old one.
As the slow pace of the Kali Bridge demolition continues to frustrate locals, the authorities are working to ensure that the necessary equipment and processes are in place to expedite the work. However, with the current progress, it may still take several months before the debris is fully cleared. The focus now is on ensuring safety and completing the work efficiently to restore normalcy to the area.