Shastri bridge repair: Over 150 cops to streamline traffic

Prayargaj: As one lane (from Daraganj to Jhunsi) of Shastri bridge will remain close for traffic movement for 43 days (from June 3 to July 15), duties of 150 policemen including 50 traffic policemen have been assigned to regulate traffic on Shastri bridge and diversion routes from Wednesday.

DCP (Traffic) Neeraj Pandey told TOI that, “Two wheelers and light vehicles will be allowed on another lane from Wednesday”.

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During the repair of the Shastri Bridge, the movement of buses, trucks, dumpers, tractors, and other heavy vehicles heading towards Varanasi from Kanpur has been diverted via Kokhraj toll plaza and Handia bypass. Similarly, trucks and buses moving from Reewa to Varanasi has been diverted via Mangava, Hanumana and Mirzapur. Besides, heavy vehicles moving towards Varanasi from Chitrakoot will be diverted through Rajapur, Kaushambi, Kokhraj and Handias bypass.

More importantly, trucks arriving city for loading and unloading will opt for Kokhraj, and Puramufti and Dhoomanganj route. The Public Works Department (PWD), construction division, had been making efforts to undertake the repairs of the Shastri Bridge for the past two years but permission could not be obtained due to various reasons. Around Rs 15 crore is likely to be spent on the bridge repair work.