PWD makes visual inspection, annual check-ups mandatory for bridges
Kolkata: The state Public Works Department (PWD) has made it mandatory to have "visual inspection" four times a year, along with an annual health check-up for proper maintenance of the bridges and flyovers under its jurisdiction.
The respective divisions will be responsible for undertaking periodic inspection, taking up repairs and proper maintenance of the bridges under their jurisdictions.
Each division will take up visual inspection of the bridges four times in a year - February, May, August and November.
"In case they notice any distress or any condition which requires expert opinion, they shall inform the same in writing to the Bridge Inspection and Monitoring Cell and follow up with them so that the advice is received early and action is initiated," read the notification.
Elaborating on the health check-up that will be done once a year, the notification stated that such process will include all non-destructive testing of various components of the bridge to find out indications of distress, a distress mapping of the bridge, prescription for repairs and other actions needed to restore the bridge to the condition it was in just after construction.
The Bridge Inspection and Monitoring Cell (BIMC) will empanel a list of agencies for conducting annual health check-up of the bridges.
PWD has even specified the roles of the divisions and the BIMC. Apart from maintenance, visual inspection and repairing, the divisions have been empowered to impose traffic restriction/blockage and speed restrictions in consultation with the cell, as and when needed.
It has to maintain a register for each bridge, with original drawings and specifications, details of all repair and other work carried out on the bridge and inspection reports.
It will have to conduct annual health check-up by engaging agency, obtain reports, share the reports with BIMC and take follow-up action on recommendations in consultation with the cell.
The BIMC will function under the direction of Chief Engineer (Planning), Roads. A Zonal Committee will monitor the activities of bridge inspection and rehabilitation at the zonal level each month.
