KOLHAPUR: The construction work of the new bridge parallel to the Shivaji bridge on Panchganga river is likely to be delayed due to technical reasons. The company constructing the bridge has started digging at the site but is yet to find foundation level despite digging deep."The digging work at the site has begun to find foundation level, but even after going to the depth of 9 metre, we have not found the foundation stone to lay column for construction of the bridge. Usually, the foundation stone is found after digging four metre," said an official from the public works department.The officials said they had designed the new bridge taking into consideration the foundation stone at four metre depth. Considering the situation, they will now have to change the plan and layout of the bridge."We will send the proposal of new design to the main office in Mumbai. We will start construction of the bridge after we get green signal from the office. Till then, we will continue with the construction of other parts of the bridge," he said.The construction work of the bridge on the either side of Kolhapur began on June 4 after the Archeological Survey of India gave its green signal. They have cleared that the construction does not come within 100 metre of archaeological site Brahmapuri. Construction is prohibited within 100m radius of heritage sites.The construction of new bridge began in October 2013. Two years later, the ASI objected to the construction stating that it would affect the protected site Brahmapuri as it was within 100 metres of the site.After persistent follow-ups, the ASI surveyed the spot earlier this month and granted its approval to the construction. The new bridge will act as an alternative to the 140-year-old Shivaji bridge, which cannot take the load of heavy vehicles any more.A major accident in January that claimed over 10 lives brought the issue of the hanging new bridge into limelight.

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