The audit carried out so far on more than 700 bridges in 41 districts found that there are heavily used bridges whose rectification was necessary on a war footing.
Among the measures being taken are closing them completely for travelers or prohibiting them for heavy vehicles. Two of these unfit bridges are in the state capital.
Brijesh Singh, Minister of State, Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD), said, "Monitoring and repair of bridges is a continuous process carried out by our department. We have identified the bridges that need repair. Those that are that will no longer be in use will be closed to traffic completely.
In Lucknow, Pucca Pul over Gomti river at Chowk and another bridge over Sai river at Mohanlalganj have been identified as unfit and closed for heavy vehicle movement.
Experts feel that regular monitoring followed by immediate action is required to rectify the damaged bridges to avoid a situation like collapse.
"When the repair budget exceeds Rs 40 lakh, which is the limit to be exceeded by the chief engineer, the file is passed to the state administration, where technical officials may not understand the immediate need for sanction for repair," he said. Salil Yadav, Retired Chief Engineer (Bridge), PWD.
The 83 bridges that have been deemed unfit or vulnerable are located in 41 districts of Uttar Pradesh.
The highest number of seven such bridges were identified in Kanpur Dehat, followed by four in Saharanpur.
In several districts, detours were implemented after verifying that the bridge pillars had little resistance.
The inspection/strength test was carried out for pillars, bridge girders, expansion joints, pillar caps and side walls.
"The decision to stop movement of heavy vehicles, stop all traffic or issue diversions was taken at the local level. We are preparing the report as the inspection process is still going on. More than 700 bridges have been inspected so far," said a senior official. Uttar Pradesh PWD official.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to conduct inspections of all bridges in Uttar Pradesh that are more than 50 years old.
The PWD has now demanded that district offices submit proposals for repair of existing bridges or construction of new ones. The final report is likely to be compiled next week.
Meanwhile, Lucknow's iconic Pucca Pul is now closed to heavy vehicles as it is one of the 83 bridges in the state that have been deemed "unfit for travel" amid concerns over its ability to handle modern traffic loads.
The bridge connecting Daliganj and Chowk was built by British officers after dismantling the ancient Shahi Pul, a stone bridge commissioned by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula in 1780. The Shahi Pul was considered a marvel of its time and was completed in 1797. Following the British annexation of Awadh in 1857, the stone bridge was considered inadequate and weak, especially with the arrival of heavier artillery.
"In 1911, the British authorities decided to replace the old structure, laying the foundation for Pucca Pul, which was opened by the then viceroy, Lord Hardinge, on 10 January 1914. In particular, the formal opening of the King George Hospital took place "On the same day, over the decades, Pucca Pul became a crucial artery for the city, catering to increasing traffic demands," said historian Roshan Taqi.
"The decision to finally ban the use of Pucca Pul to heavy vehicles was taken on the advice of experts. As the bridge transitions to serving only lighter traffic, its legacy as a historical and functional landmark of Lucknow continues, although with the necessary adjustments to guarantee its preservation for future generations," Taqi added.
In 2022, Bridge Corporation carried out a comprehensive inspection which revealed that the bridge could no longer safely support heavy vehicles.
Despite recommendations to restrict such traffic, the order was initially not enforced.
Among the measures being taken are closing them completely for travelers or prohibiting them for heavy vehicles. Two of these unfit bridges are in the state capital.
Brijesh Singh, Minister of State, Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD), said, "Monitoring and repair of bridges is a continuous process carried out by our department. We have identified the bridges that need repair. Those that are that will no longer be in use will be closed to traffic completely.
In Lucknow, Pucca Pul over Gomti river at Chowk and another bridge over Sai river at Mohanlalganj have been identified as unfit and closed for heavy vehicle movement.
Experts feel that regular monitoring followed by immediate action is required to rectify the damaged bridges to avoid a situation like collapse.
"When the repair budget exceeds Rs 40 lakh, which is the limit to be exceeded by the chief engineer, the file is passed to the state administration, where technical officials may not understand the immediate need for sanction for repair," he said. Salil Yadav, Retired Chief Engineer (Bridge), PWD.
The 83 bridges that have been deemed unfit or vulnerable are located in 41 districts of Uttar Pradesh.
The highest number of seven such bridges were identified in Kanpur Dehat, followed by four in Saharanpur.
In several districts, detours were implemented after verifying that the bridge pillars had little resistance.
The inspection/strength test was carried out for pillars, bridge girders, expansion joints, pillar caps and side walls.
"The decision to stop movement of heavy vehicles, stop all traffic or issue diversions was taken at the local level. We are preparing the report as the inspection process is still going on. More than 700 bridges have been inspected so far," said a senior official. Uttar Pradesh PWD official.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to conduct inspections of all bridges in Uttar Pradesh that are more than 50 years old.
The PWD has now demanded that district offices submit proposals for repair of existing bridges or construction of new ones. The final report is likely to be compiled next week.
Meanwhile, Lucknow's iconic Pucca Pul is now closed to heavy vehicles as it is one of the 83 bridges in the state that have been deemed "unfit for travel" amid concerns over its ability to handle modern traffic loads.
The bridge connecting Daliganj and Chowk was built by British officers after dismantling the ancient Shahi Pul, a stone bridge commissioned by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula in 1780. The Shahi Pul was considered a marvel of its time and was completed in 1797. Following the British annexation of Awadh in 1857, the stone bridge was considered inadequate and weak, especially with the arrival of heavier artillery.
"In 1911, the British authorities decided to replace the old structure, laying the foundation for Pucca Pul, which was opened by the then viceroy, Lord Hardinge, on 10 January 1914. In particular, the formal opening of the King George Hospital took place "On the same day, over the decades, Pucca Pul became a crucial artery for the city, catering to increasing traffic demands," said historian Roshan Taqi.
"The decision to finally ban the use of Pucca Pul to heavy vehicles was taken on the advice of experts. As the bridge transitions to serving only lighter traffic, its legacy as a historical and functional landmark of Lucknow continues, although with the necessary adjustments to guarantee its preservation for future generations," Taqi added.
In 2022, Bridge Corporation carried out a comprehensive inspection which revealed that the bridge could no longer safely support heavy vehicles.
Despite recommendations to restrict such traffic, the order was initially not enforced.
