Odisha’s Dhabaleswar Hanging Bridge Limit Capped After Morbi Tragedy

Odisha’s Dhabaleswar Hanging Bridge Limit Capped After Morbi Tragedy

Gujarat’s Morbi bridge collapse incident has shaken the country with terror. Following the grave incident, the local administration at Athagarh in Odisha’s Cuttack district has capped the pedestrian limit on the Dhabaleswar suspension bridge over the river Mahanadi connecting the shrine. For now, Section 144 CrPC has also been imposed to ensure the repair of this suspension bridge.

“The experts who came from Mumbai and Kolkata following inspection have advised for urgent repair of the suspension bridge. They have advised for a complete shutdown of the bridge. So, therefore, the administration after taking into consideration all aspects decided to completely shut down the bridge,” informed Athagarh Sub Collector Hemant Kumar Swain.

The decision to allow a maximum of 200 people to take the 254 m long and 2 m wide suspension bridge over the Mahanadi to the island shrine at a time was taken after examination by an expert team from Kolkata.

“As per the recommendations of the expert team, we have reduced the number of visitors on the bridge at a given time to 200,” informed Athagarh sub-collector Hemanta Kumar Swain. He further said that a maximum of 10,000/12,000 people can be allowed to visit the shrine on a day. “We are also arranging for boats to facilitate the visit of 10,000 more people to the shrine,” Swain added.

Dhabaleswar witnesses more than 13 lakh visitors annually as devotees flock to the shrine during Shivaratri, Pausha Purnima, Dola Purnima and Kartika Purnima. Swain advised only those observing Bada Osha Vrat to visit the shrine during Kartika month. “It would be better if only those who have vrats visit the shrine. General tourists are requested to avoid coming to the shrine at this time,” he said.

He also informed us about an all-season bridge, which is under construction and will be completed in three months’ time. “Once this bridge opens, all can come to the shrine any time of the year,” he added.

Meanwhile, the toll in the Morbi bridge collapse incident increased to 141 as of Monday morning. The tragedy took place on Sunday evening when about 400 people were on the suspension bridge over the Machhu river.