The Kandloor bridge, an essential structure on the Kundapur-Ampare-Thirthahalli state highway, has been in a state of disrepair since 2017. Despite its critical role in daily transportation, including the passage of heavy goods vehicles, no significant action has been taken to repair or replace the bridge. After years of discussions and growing concerns, the Project and Road Asset Management Center conducted an inspection and confirmed the bridge’s deteriorated condition. Following this, the Public Works Department prepared an estimate of Rs 1.32 crore for necessary repairs and submitted it to the government, but no further steps have been taken.
In the recent Kundapur Taluk KDP meeting, KDP members Jyothi Puthran and Jyothi Nayak highlighted the urgency of the situation. They have been pressing the Public Works Department to address the issues before a serious accident occurs.
Constructed in 1977 under the leadership of MLA Yadtare Manjayya Shetty, the bridge spans the Varahi River and stretches 300 meters in length and 7.5 meters in width. Over the decades, it has endured heavy traffic and the elements, leading to significant wear and tear. Today, the bridge exhibits visible gaps between beams that create clattering sounds as vehicles pass over, missing guardrails, and a large protruding iron beam. Concerns have also been raised about the quality of the understructure, joint gaps, and depressions forming on the surface, all of which have worsened since the 2017 inspection.
Despite a report detailing the bridge’s condition submitted five years ago, no repairs have been undertaken. This neglect has raised fears of a collapse similar to the Barkur Brahmavar bridge incident, where inaction led to a catastrophic failure. Residents and officials alike are demanding immediate measures to prevent a potential disaster.
The lack of action by the responsible departments and the government on such a critical infrastructure issue is alarming and unacceptable, given the risks involved.
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