NHAI to inspect all its old bridges

NHAI today said it will conduct inspection of all its old bridges to avert Maharashtra like tragedy, in which a British era bridge across Savitri river at Mahad collapsed over a week ago.Clarifying that though the collapsed bridge did not fell under the jurisdiction of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), it said the orders were issued taking cognizance of such incidents.

"Responding with extreme sensitivity to the collapse of Mahad Bridge and as explained earlier in various forums, it is again clarified that the collapsed bridge is not under the jurisdiction of NHAI," it added. 

"However, taking cognizance of such happenings, NHAI has asked its field units to get all old bridges under it's jurisdiction inspected through Project Director/Independent Engineer/ DPR Consultants for their fitness," it added. So far, 26 bodies have been recovered while nearly 14 are still missing and feared dead following the collapse of the bridge on Mumbai-Goa highway on August 2. Soon after the tragedy, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that the NHAI would reconstruct the bridge within 18 months.