The bridge collapsed around 1 am in Karwara district of Karnataka after which a truck fell into the Kali river but its driver was rescued by rescued by fishermen fishing in the Kali river.
Karwar: A key bridge on National Highway 66, connecting Karnataka and Goa collapsed on Wednesday morning in Karwar following heavy rains in the area. No casualties were reported in the incident but a lorry had fallen into the Kali River that the bridge is built on but the driver was rescued by locals.
The 50-year-old bridge had earlier been closed in 2011 due to its dilapidated conditions and fear of collapsing but the district administration was forced to open after making repairs due to public pressure.
A lorry travelling across the bridge fell into the water, but nearby fishermen rescued the driver, Radhakrishna from Tamil Nadu, who sustained serious injuries. Fortunately, a new bridge built alongside during the expansion of NH 66 will help mitigate traffic disruptions.
The collapse was attributed to the deterioration caused by the transport of heavy machinery for the construction of atomic stations at Kaiga, a factor that persisted even after the initial construction phases.
The district administration has requested the IRB to provide a safety report on the condition of the new bridge by Wednesday evening. Currently, only two-wheelers are allowed on the new bridge, with heavy vehicles banned.
Traffic movement affected; alternate routes to take
Vehicles must now take a detour via Malappuram Katra to reach Karwar and Goa. The collapse has also caused significant difficulties for students of Karnataka University, who are struggling to reach their colleges in Karwar due to the restricted traffic on the Kali River bridge.
The bridge, situated at the confluence of the Kali River and the Arabian Sea, was renowned for its picturesque setting. Originally inaugurated in 1982, it had previously collapsed during its construction. According to eyewitnesses, the bridge collapsed in three sections at around 1:15 am.
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