The precarious British-era bridge over Taladanda canal in Cuttack. Pictures by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Sept. 17: Twin city police have asked officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to adhere to ‘safety parameters’ before demolishing the British-era bridge over Taladanda canal, which has been declared unsafe.

Following the guidelines, the city cops have asked officials of NHAI and executing agency Shree Jagannath Expressways Private Limited (SJEPL) to undertake various measures for the smooth flow of traffic on a second bridge, which is a continuation of national highway No. 5.

“We have asked the NHAI officials to make necessary arrangements such as deployment of traffic marshals for regulating traffic on the second bridge, which will be used to divert traffic during the rush ahead of Dussehra, the ODI at Barabati and the subsequent bali yatra,” said deputy commissioner of police S. Praveen Kumar.

Traffic officials said the main bridge over Taladanda canal was likely to be demolished soon after the NHAI complied with the safety parameters such as installing barricades, signage, speed-breakers, blinkers and so on.

After a joint inspection made by the district administration, the twin city police, NHAI and Cuttack Municipal Corporation officials, it was decided the main bridge should be demolished as it was in a dilapidated condition.

This bridge was built after the British dug the canal in 1869. It now acts as a link between Bhubaneswar, Jajpur, Chandikhole, Paradip, and Calcutta via Cuttack. Every day, over 30,000 vehicles ply this bridge. “We are trying to create the necessary infrastructure for diversion of traffic from Bhubaneswar, Madhupatna and OMP Square. Most of the traffic will be diverted via two service road bridges that are being built near Matrubhavan,” said traffic ACP Pramod Rath.

According to proposals, light motor vehicles such as cars and two wheelers coming from Bhubaneswar (Madhupatna direction) will be diverted from near Samrat Talkies.

These vehicles will be asked to move towards OMP Square, Sikharpur, Tangi and Chandikhole and vice-versa via the two service road bridges over Taladanda canal.

At present, traffic coming from OMP Square has to pass over the second bridge to move towards Bhubaneswar. After the British-era bridge is demolished, most of the traffic will be diverted through the service road bridges while heavy motor vehicles will have to use the second bridge.

“Once the work for the construction of the two service road bridges is completed, steps will be taken to demolish the bridge over Taladanda canal within 15 to 20 days,” said an official of SPEJL requesting anonymity.

About 90 per cent of the work for the construction of the two service road bridges has been completed. Moreover, barricades have been set up on the second bridge, which will be used to divert traffic after the demolition of the unsafe bridge over Taldanda canal, the official added.

Official sources said that second bridge over Taladanda canal has been strengthened while steps are being taken for the installation of speed breakers, blinkers and glow signage.