The largest soundproof bridge in Asia, built on National Highway 44 in the Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh, has sustained significant damage as a result of persistent rain. A private company spent an enormous Rs 960 crores building the bridge. Several reports state that the repair work is presently in progress, which is leading to frequent traffic jams on the highway that links Kashmir and Kanyakumari.
The bridge, which connects Seoni and Nagpur and is close to the Pench Tiger Reserve, was built with 14 wildlife underpasses and light reducers to reduce noise pollution. The bridge is 29 kilometers long and was built at a cost of ₹960 crores by the private company Dilip Buildcon. Five years after construction, the structure started to show signs of damage despite a ten-year guarantee; cracks and broken sections were noticed after intense rains.
The company in charge of building the highway has temporarily stopped traffic while they work on repairs. Given the substantial investment required, the early deterioration raises questions about the bridge’s durability and the engineering’s efficacy.
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