Bhubaneswar: July 05: It has been informed by National High Authority of India(NHAI) sources that there is no problem to the main spans of the ROB at Samjajpur on Bhubaneswar- Puri road (NH-203) covering a length of 170m. It is only the 5.5 m span gap slabs at the ends of ROB which is resting on pier at one end and approach embankment on the other end that has tilted due to long term consolidation of the founding soil supporting the approach embankment having height of more than 13 m.
The ROB proper and its approach embankments are founded on marshy land with extremely poor clay soil so much so that pile foundations of the ROB were taken up to 38 m depth from ground level. All precautions were taken to stabilise the founding soil of the approach embankments with advanced technologies but due to pressure of opening the ROB before Nabakalebara festival, the construction process was expedited which prevented natural consolidation of the founding soil.
Whereas NHAI has initiated action for restoration of the gap slabs weighing 60 Tonne, the same could not be completed before Rath Yatra. Keeping in view the traffic demand during Rath Yatra NHAI has taken precaution of supporting the gap slabs from ground with steel columns and with these precautions, District Administration has been informed to allow light vehicles on the ROB on 5th, 6th, 14th & 15th July 2016 at restricted speed of 20 Kmph to meet traffic demands of Rath Yatra, Bahuda and Sunabesha.
Meanwhile all preparatory actions are in progress for restoration of the gap slabs and opening of the ROB to all vehicles at the earliest.
Further keeping in view the concerns of State Govt, NHAI has committed for providing funds to State PWD to construct a diversion road on LHS of the NH for easy movement of the traffic during peak hours. The diversion road is nearing completion by State PWD.
