Satara, Aug 19: Responding promptly to reports of falling iron angles within the Khambataki tunnel on the Pune-Bangalore national highway over two consecutive days, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) sprang into action. Within a mere three hours, NHAI personnel effectively removed four hazardous iron fixtures, providing a significant sigh of relief to motorists.
The iron angles, which had been installed at the top of the tunnel for electrical fixtures several years ago, had corroded over time. This corrosion resulted in the collapse of some of these angles onto vehicles passing through the tunnel on two consecutive days. Fortunately, while several cars sustained damage, there were no reports of loss of life.
Upon receiving information about the situation, teams from the Highway Police and the Bhuinj Police in Satara district swiftly responded. They were joined by PS toll manager Sanket Gandhi and other employees who rushed to the scene. The teams promptly surveyed the remaining iron angles within the tunnel and removed the four dangerous angles within a span of three hours. This immediate action facilitated the restoration of traffic, which had come to a standstill for approximately three hours.
The swift and efficient response by the NHAI and associated authorities underscores their commitment to ensuring the safety of road users. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of regular maintenance and inspections to prevent potential hazards on highways and tunnels.
