Waiting For A Smooth Ride: Belagavi’s Third Gate RoB Repairs Begin After Public Outcry

After months of complaints and countless social media posts, the long-neglected Third Gate Road Over Bridge (RoB) in Belagavi has finally seen some activity — but not without revealing deeper problems. Local MLA Abhay Patil on Sunday performed a puja to mark the start of restoration work on the dilapidated RoB. However, technical and administrative hurdles continue to delay full-scale repairs. MLA Patil had promised, Let the PWD do its work, I will get this RoB restored. A Bridge Split in Two — and Between Two Departments According to officials and the contractor on site, roughly 50% of the RoB — the main girder span above the railway tracks and about 50 meters of road on each side — remains under the South Western Railway (SWR).The remaining portion, which includes the approach roads and side structures, is maintained by the Public Works Department (PWD). Contractor B. G. Godse has undertaken the current patchwork repairs. Citizens have pointed out that the base concrete in several sections has developed cracks. These cracks weaken the top layer. Unless the base is treated, new asphalt will peel off easily. To restore the damaged stretch effectively, he recommends using Mastic Asphalt — a dense, waterproof mix of bitumen, fine aggregates, and filler.“Mastic asphalt creates a voidless, impermeable surface that can absorb vibrations and resist cracking. It’s ideal for bridge decks like this,” said Godse. However, for the newly laid surface to last, the contractor insists on at least an eight-day dry spell to allow moisture removal. “If the layer is applied while the base is still damp, the road will fail again within months,” he warned. Design Flaws and Prolonged Rains Add to the Woes Engineers and contractors have also highlighted a design flaw in the RoB itself. Water continuously flows down the slopes of the bridge instead of draining off properly.This unchecked water flow erodes the asphalt and leads to frequent potholes, particularly after the extended monsoon season this year. “Unless proper drainage channels are constructed, the same issue will repeat, no matter how good the surface mix is.” https://youtu.be/hn_Cfg2QMAE?si=WKry4mhOqqSvs2RW Police Step In, PWD Yet to Respond Swiftly Ironically, it was the traffic police who recently filled some of the deeper potholes on the bridge to prevent accidents — a temporary relief effort that exposed the slow response of the departments responsible. Citizens who use the bridge daily say they are tired of empty promises.Earlier, MP Jagadish Shettar visited the site and assured that work would begin within seven days.However, more than two weeks later, only temporary patching has been completed. Even with PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, who hails from Belagavi, heading the department, citizens say the city’s infrastructure woes remain low on the priority list. What Lies Ahead Contractor B. G. Godse has assured that the current patching is temporary and that the next phase — involving structural strengthening and resurfacing — will follow once dry weather allows it.A small appeal has been made by contractor B.G. Godse, who assured that quality work will be delivered but requested citizens to allow a little more time. Once the moisture dries out completely, the repairs will be more effective and long-lasting. For now, citizens are left navigating a risky bridge — one that stands as a reminder of bureaucratic confusion, design flaws, and delayed accountability. If the upcoming repairs use proper mastic asphalt and coordinated engineering between authorities, the bridge could finally become what it was meant to be: a safe, reliable link across Belagavi’s busy rail corridor.Until then, the Third Gate RoB remains half repaired, half forgotten — and fully frustrating.