The bridge over Budhabalanga river near Balasore town. Telegraph picture

Balasore, July 20: People here are taking a risky ride through a century-old, dilapidated bridge over the Budhabalanga river that has become unsafe because of lack of repair and maintenance.

The British-era bridge, locally known as Loha Polo (iron bridge), in the north of this district headquarters township near Fuladi, has been wallowing in neglect for many years. Hundreds of vehicles pass through it everyday as it is located close to the entry point of Old Trunk Road.

“The bridge is bearing the brunt of government apathy. Its entire span shakes whenever loaded vehicles pass through it,” said Ubachak Mohanty, a local resident.

“Mishaps may occur here at any moment as loaded vehicles, including lorries, tankers and passenger vehicles, pass through it everyday. The government should repair the bridge immediately to avert a major accident,” he said.

“Once the lifeline of this district, the bridge has been lying in neglect since 2003, after completion of the four-laning of NH-60. The bridge lost its importance as a diversion road was built through Fuladi and Naharpatna during the four-laning of the highway,” said Jayanta Das, another resident.

Executive engineer of the roads and buildings division B.K. Lenka admitted that the bridge had been declared unsafe. He also said that plying of loaded vehicles through the bridge had been restricted.

“Barricades were erected on both entry points of the bridge in the past to prevent the entry of loaded vehicles. However, unknown persons removed those barricades soon after erection,” he said.

“While passenger buses have stopped plying through the bridge, loaded tractors and trucks, however, continue to ply despite our warning. We have planned to build a new bridge there and abandon the present one. A new bridge will cost around Rs 10 crore,” said Lenka.