Udupi: Light pole with weak foundation collapses as car hits
By Snehalatha, Udupi
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Udupi, 08 August 2011: There can be no better example to exhibit the poor workmanship of the private contractor and the carelessness of the Udupi City Municipality than this one. The state highway between Udupi and Manipal had been widened and the light poles were installed at the centre over the dividers. These works were contracted to a private contractor and upon completion it was inaugurated by the District Minister Dr. V.S. Acharya, about a month ago.
On Saturday night a drunk youth hit his car to a light pole in Manipal. Just with the impact of the hit of the car the light pole has collapsed and completely bent to out of shape. Some days back even in Kalsanka also one car hit the light pole and the light pole collapsed down with the foundation.
These light poles are installed by anchor bolting over precast concrete foundations which is just a feet high. But the precast foundation is buried only half feet. First of all, the soil which is in the divider is backfilled soil, also it is rainy season now, so the soil is very soft. In this only 4 – 5 inch deep pit is dug and the precast foundation is half buried and the light pole is installed over it.
These light poles carry the light fittings on either sides at top and besides, it also carries the advertisement holdings hanged to it, which makes a heavy load on the light pole. With all these and also the weak foundation, when the car hits, the pole collapses completely.
The Municipality has not been taking enough care on the workmanship of the street light installation contractor and the carelessness can cause such disasters. Not only that, even with the heavy wind these light poles which also carry the advertisement boards might collapse, says Sathyanarayana a resident in this place.
The Municipality should at least wake up now and should notify the contractor who has been making profits in lakhs from this contract, urged the residents in this area and the public.
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Half feet is too less even to support strong winds, so it wont be a surprise if the pole comes down with a strong wind, especially when soil under it is wet.
Hope the total damage cost will be recovered from the drunk driver. There should be hefty penalty for such offences.