A disaster in the offing?

10 October 2023 03:17 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 17 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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The Bambalapitiya bridge on Marine Drive poses a great threat to pedestrians as it is on the verge of collapse after being in a dilapidated state for months. Vehicular traffic has slowed to a snail’s pace as motorists fear to travel under the bridge fearing a possible collapse. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has ordered for the flyover to be removed and plans are in place to erect a temporary access way. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Comments - 17

ama Tuesday, 10 October 2023 04:02 AM

Atten: Hon President and Hon Prime Minister, please pay your kind attention to this Bambalapitiya bridge on Marine Drive. This will not require much money to reconstruct. Don't wait until someone dies.

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Ram Tuesday, 10 October 2023 04:04 AM

These days our President's orders are disregarded for some unknown reason, may be too many orders that the respective agencies cannot cope with. The bridge will be gone soon causing damage to property and taking a few lives the way the tree fell in Colpetty

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Bandu Tuesday, 10 October 2023 04:07 AM

Very good work. Ask the relevant minister what he is doing about it, also put his picture and shame him

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DD Tuesday, 10 October 2023 04:09 AM

President RW decision is spot on! Who needs to play hide and seek with bad karma to kick in under a rickety bridge? By taking action on this crumbling bridge, we're giving everyday citizens a smoother and safer commute, and we'll leave bad karma scratching its head elsewhere.

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Joshua Tuesday, 10 October 2023 06:39 AM

Do we have a transport minister? What the hell.is she doing? Of course she knows nothing

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Nimal Tuesday, 10 October 2023 07:11 AM

Please do not remove this structure that stands as an ignominious monument to the stupidity and the corruption of two reputable state organizations.

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YLG Tuesday, 10 October 2023 07:32 AM

Please check the steel fly overs. They need periodic inspection and maintenance. Steel bridges don't crack they simply collapse when fatigued. Being in the construction industry I would know.

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Gamini Tuesday, 10 October 2023 07:50 AM

While the directive to replace the bridge the system failure needs to be investigated and dealt with in the most serious manner. How was responsible for its regular inspection and maintenance which has clearly not been done properly. Who knew about the deplorable state of the bridge over all these months, and perhaps years, and did not do their job to escalate and deal with this situation. The risk and threat to life and public property was not addressed by those entrusted to manage it. There have to be some heads that roll. The negligence is far too severe. The first damage to vehicle as result of falling debris occurred long ago and as I recall was also reported in this news site. It is h8gh time our people's representatives get off their limousines and walk the streets to observe and experience the death and injury traps on our roads and pavements. Do they even care when vote solicitation needs have passed and are no more? We the public doubt it.

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Safeek Tuesday, 10 October 2023 08:18 AM

it is a normal practice in Sri Lanka, It should cuase several deaths to draw the attention of authorities.

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M S A Mihraj Tuesday, 10 October 2023 08:30 AM

The main concern is the bridge above the road. The long bridge crossing standard construction by SEC-State Engineering Corporation using pre-tension pre-cast(pc) beams with composite RC deck. My assessment viewing attached photos as strengthen the bridge than demolition shall be faster

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M S A Mihraj Tuesday, 10 October 2023 08:58 AM

No need to demolish this bridge. As per photos the access stair RC construction bars corrode

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Bambalapitiya Bridge Tuesday, 10 October 2023 09:09 AM

No one is care. President and Prime Minister is very busy in winning the elections. Ministers are very busy in getting commission and sell drug's. This is a very good example how our county is running right now.

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Ram Tuesday, 10 October 2023 09:22 AM

Please folks wait until the inevitable happens and thereafter the action will be quick to remove the victims and the debris

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Rajiv De Silva Tuesday, 10 October 2023 09:33 AM

Govenment. Please do not repair this, take more and more MPs for overseas trips at the expense of tax payers money.

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Bambalapitiya, Can't be? Must be Wannathamulla Tuesday, 10 October 2023 11:19 AM

When every 6 months officers in the armed forces get a promotion where is the money to fix our rotting infrastructure?

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Nalin Gooneratne Tuesday, 10 October 2023 01:43 PM

Investigate who did the construction and who supervised. People should not be allowed to waste public funds. Publish the findings.

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Citizens Tuesday, 10 October 2023 05:06 PM

This indicates that since construction no maintenance done and similar things will happen to bridges, expressways, flyovers etc, etc.... under earlier regime regimes

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