Built over a century ago during the British rule, the bridge connecting Nagapattinam from Chennai via Sirkazhi on the National Highway 47A developed cracks, affecting traffic movement, officials said on Saturday.
The bridge developed cracks on Friday and the wheel of a State transport bus got stuck in it. Though a mishap was averted, a portion of the bridge caved in, they said.
Meanwhile, work was under way to repair the bridge. The National Highways Authority has now commenced works to mend the bridge. The supporting structures at the bottom are being strengthened, officials said.
Officials inspect bridge
Tamil Nadu Fisheries Minister K A Jayapal, Nagapattinam District Collector S Pazhanisamy and other officials inspected the bridge on Saturday.
The narrow bridge across Koopiduvaan Uppanaru at Sooraikadu village, two km from Sirkazhi, was built more than 100 years ago during the British regime.
Heavy vehicles to Karaikal and Nagapattinam ports, PSU oil establishments in the Nagapattinam region, tourist vehicles to Poompuhar, Tarangambadi and Velankanni pass through this bridge.
The damage to the bridge has forced vehicles to take a circuitous route to reach their destinations.
Since 2009, the Highways Authority had been constructing several supporting structures at the bottom portion to prevent it from collapsing. – PTI
