Daily Lifeline Between Jharsuguda and Sundargarh Faces Imminent Danger Amid Rain, Overload, and Neglect
Jharsuguda : A dangerously large pothole has formed on the Rajpur Vasundhara River Bridge, causing alarm among thousands of commuters and raising urgent questions about the safety of one of Jharsuguda’s most vital transport links.
The bridge, which connects Gandhichhak to Sundargarh district via Balangibahal, is used daily by residents of Loisingh Gram Panchayat and nearby areas. The sudden appearance of the pothole at around 9:30 AM on Saturday following a night of relentless rainfall left drivers and passengers in shock as the road surface gave way under pressure from continuous heavy traffic.
Eyewitnesses describe chaotic scenes as vehicles swerved to avoid the gaping crater, which now poses a serious risk of structural failure. The bridge, long burdened by an unregulated flow of overloaded sand trucks and NTPC-bound heavy vehicles, is visibly deteriorating under neglect.
This is a disaster waiting to happen, warned a daily commuter. Each day, the bridge carries more than it was ever meant to. With no maintenance in sight, we’re gambling with lives.
The bridge has not seen substantial upkeep in recent years, and with the monsoon rains accelerating wear, experts fear that the entire structure could collapse without urgent intervention.
Calls are mounting for the Public Works Department and district administration to take immediate emergency action. Local engineers stress the need for a full structural audit, immediate repair of the pothole, and long-term reinforcement of the bridge to prevent catastrophe.
The daily movement of hundreds of heavy vehicles most of them exceeding weight limits has weakened the bridge’s foundation. Without timely repairs, the risk of a major accident or full bridge collapse looms large.
Citizens are demanding swift, visible steps from the authorities to prevent a tragedy. The Rajpur Vasundhara Bridge is not just a route it’s a lifeline. And it’s one pothole away from disaster.
