Four-wheelers and two-wheelers on Sunday returned on the Domuhani bridge over Subernarekha river and on the 7.7km newly built road from Dobo-end of the bridge to Kanderbera after a week-long break for repairs.
However, heavy vehicles including multi-axle lorries will be allowed to use the bridge only after the administration gives its nod, which is likely to happen in a couple of days.
Seraikela road construction department’s executive engineer Dinesh Kumar Rajak confirmed that the Dobo-Kanderbera road in Seraikela, which links the Domuhani bridge to NH-33, was now ready for all types of vehicles. “The only thing left to be done is installing signages, which will be over in a day or two,” he said.
With the bridge and the road now open, motorists and bikers can reach the steel city from Chandil faster. Travel time has been reduced by 20 minutes, said commuters.
On Sunday, around 2,000 four-wheelers and 5,000 two-wheelers used the bridge on way to Chandil, around 18km from Kanderbera, and beyond.
“The new road that connects NH-33 to Domuhani bridge is nice. I enjoyed riding through the stretch as it saved a lot of time,” said Kadma resident Basant Kumar.
Traffic DSP Shrivendra Kumar said although cars and bikes had been allowed to use the bridge, the district administration was yet to grant permission for movement of trucks and trailers.
“We will have to deploy traffic cops near the bridge and also at a few points along the Marine Drive for heavy vehicles. We will take the step only after the administration okays it,” Shrivendra said.
East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Amit Kumar said he would take the matter up with his Seraikela-Kharsawan counterpart.
“I will talk to Chhabi Ranjan as the Dobo-Kanderbera road falls under his jurisdiction. Only after that I can declare the new bridge open for heavy vehicles.”
Over 2,000 heavy vehicles enter the city daily through the Jaiprakash Narayan Setu over Subernarekha causing a lot of congestion. But, after the Domuhani bridge is opened to heavy vehicles, traffic snarls in the city are expected to ease considerably.
