Daman bridge to be opened today

The Daman bridge, which collapsed on August 28 last year killing 31 people, will be re-opened after repairs on June 17.

Union minister of state for home S Raghupati will inaugurate the bridge across the Damanganga river.

An official of Omnibus Industrial Development Corporation said, "Repair and construction works on the bridge which started in January this year have been completed. The bridge is 270-metre long. Of this, a section measuring 180 metres is new construction, while the remaining 90 metres has been repaired."

"The bridge is 5.25 metres wide and has half-metre wide footpaths on both the sides. The bridge is also equipped with proper lighting and like in the past, only one-way traffic will be allowed at any given moment of time," the official said.

"The bridge's construction was undertaken by the National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC). RITES, which falls under Ministry of Railways, were the consultants and they provided technical support for the bridge," the official said.

"About Rs 10 crore has been spent on the bridge's construction and repair work. The entire amount has been borne by the Union government."

"The bridge will opened for general public only on June 20 or 21," the official said.

Moti Daman and Nani Daman are separated by Damanganga River.

The bridge, which connects Moti Daman and Nani Daman, collapsed on August 28 last year, resulting in the death of 31 persons, including 30 school children.