Manair bridge too weak for heavy traffic

KARIMNAGAR: Vehicular movement on the Manair road bridge has been restricted to a single lane since Sunday as the structure has become weak and is giving vibrations whenever heavy vehicles pass over it.Constructed on river Manair about 17 years ago, the bridge connects Karimnagar, Warangal and Hyderabad districts. There is another bridge on the river built during the Nizam rule but it was abandoned few years ago after its life expired. On Monday, the roads and buildings department (R&B) authorities inspected the bridge. Speaking to this paper, superintending engineer Rajeswara Reddy, however, said there was no danger and that those using the bridge need not worry. “The repair works are in progress and will be completed in a week,” he said and added that traffic from the two ends was being allowed alternately one after the other in a single file.He said that the bearings fixed between the plank and pillar in one span were worn out causing the vibrations at all joints whenever heavy vehicles passed. The wearing out of bearings was due to plying of heavy vehicles  transporting sand and granite on the bridge, he explained. Meanwhile, on knowing about the traffic restrictions on the bridge, some people who commute regularly between Hyderabad and Warangal have begun using the abandoned Nizam-era bridge.