AURANGABAD, May 26 -- The Batane Bridge on NH 139 in Aurangabad linking Bihar with Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, MP and UP, has developed major cracks in various girders and bearing pedestals. Heavy traffic has been prohibited, DM Abhilasha Sharma's office said. The 225-metre-long bridge, which has 9 spans, is situated at the 141km mark of the NH. The DM issued the order following an inspection report from Executive Engineer, National Highway Division, Aurangabad, which revealed the bridge was in a dilapidated state. Apprehending the risk of potential accidents, the EE requested that permission be granted solely for the movement of light vehicles. After reviewing the report and assessing the ground reality, heavy vehicles were banned across the bridge. "The restriction was enacted to protect the structure from further damage," the DM said on Monday. The EE was instructed to install signboards and crash barriers along the alternative routes for heavy vehicles - specifically from Amba to Dev (NH-19) and from Amba to Barun (NH-19) via Nabinagar. The officer was also directed to take necessary measures for the bridge's repair, she added. Locals said that thousands of gravel-laden heavy trucks from Jharkhand travel to Bihar via this NH daily. The drivers and residents in Amba market will face significant difficulties due to traffic congestion following the route diversions, they rued. This prominent bridge has a history of maintenance issues. Commissioned in 1994-95, it underwent major repair and reconstruction in 2017-2018 before deteriorating again....