Tired of seeing height barriers repeatedly damaged by reckless truck drivers on both ends of the Shaheed Gowari Flyover, the World Bank Division of the Public Works Department (PWD) has opted for a different approach. Instead of reinstalling the barriers, they’ve decided to put up sound barriers in hopes of at least reducing the area’s noise pollution.
According to a media report in a local daily, a senior PWD official recalled that the last time height barriers were installed, in early June, things quickly went wrong. A fuel tanker got stuck at the Rahate Colony end of the flyover and brought the barrier down. Just a few days later, a dumper truck driver sped onto the flyover from the Morris College “T” point and pulled down the other side. The PWD had spent ₹25 lakh on installing barriers at both ends of the flyover and was left questioning what went wrong. In fact, the contractor hasn’t even been paid yet, as the barriers were damaged before the final bill could be submitted.
According to the PWD, the height barriers cost ₹25 lakh each time to install on both ends of the flyover, aimed at restricting heavy vehicles from using the bridge. But after four failed attempts, the department has had enough. “We cannot continue to install height-barriers when the police machinery cannot stop truckers from ramming into it. We have already wasted ₹1 crore in installing the barriers four times,” said a senior official, requesting anonymity.
Built at a cost of ₹63 crore, the 1.1 km-long Shaheed Gowari Flyover is officially designated for light motor vehicles (LMVs) only. However, since it is structurally capable of handling loads up to 100 tonnes, it often sees unauthorized use by heavy vehicles like trucks and dumpers. Many truckers on long-distance routes choose to pass through the city during nighttime hours to avoid the outer ring road — saving both time and toll fees.
The PWD explains that installing height barriers is a complex task—it involves digging foundations, anchoring steel supports, and placing safety markers. Moreover, the flyover has to be closed to traffic during this process, which causes inconvenience to commuters. “Our workers have even received threats from truck drivers and one of them even tried to run over our team when the barrier was being installed,” revealed a PWD engineer. He added that the police need to provide security during such installations and deploy personnel to ensure heavy vehicles don’t simply ram into the barrier structure.
“Better illumination, traffic signal lights, blinkers and signages announcing the height restriction ought to be placed well before the ramp of the flyover so that truckers see it and veer away,” he said. The engineer acknowledged that continued use by heavy vehicles would, over time, damage the structure. He also stressed that buses should not be allowed on the flyover either, pointing out that mishaps occur without warning and the roads below remain constantly busy. Despite this, the flyover continues to be frequently used by heavy vehicles that are not permitted to be on it.
The official warned that an incident similar to what happened in Butibori where a trailer truck damaged a structure, forcing its closure until repairs were completed could easily occur within the city as well. “Un-bridled access to the flyover is dangerous,” he said. To prevent such situations, the PWD has suggested placing barricades at the entry ramps of flyovers for at least two months to deter repeated misuse. The department is also considering installing speed breakers and encouraging greater public involvement as part of the solution.
While sound barriers are no substitute for height-barriers, the PWD believes it’s the only feasible step it can take for now. A proposal for installing these barriers has already been submitted, with funding expected from the district planning committee.
Meanwhile, the police department has expressed its limitations in supporting such measures. “We are already short-staffed and focused on accident zones. Long-term deployment at these points isn’t sustainable,” said a senior police officer, highlighting the challenge of maintaining consistent enforcement at flyover entry points.
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