Mangaluru: Maravur Bridge connecting city to Mangaluru International Airport collapses
Traffic movement halted completely
Mangaluru: According to recent reports, on the morning of Tuesday the Maravur Bridge, connecting the road to Mangaluru International Airport collapsed near Bajpe.
The coast had been experiencing heavy rain for two days resulting in the collapse of the bridge. Reportedly, a part of the bridge collapsed after one of the pillars collapsed and the road traffic had to be inadvertently shut down completely.
The construction work for a new bridge was underway next to the bridge. It is learned that rainwater had added to the pressure to the water barriers at the worksite, causing the bridge’s collapse.
The Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sashikumar spoke to reporters from ‘VarthaBharathi’ and said, “The Bridge which had been constructed over the Palguni River to ease connectivity with the Mangaluru International Airport has collapsed around 3 am. Since the bridge is not fit to withstand vehicular traffic, all road traffic has been halted completely. Those coming to the Airport from Udupi may do so via the Mulki, Kinnigoli, Kateel, Bajpe routes. Those coming from Kasaragod, Mangaluru may have to do so via the Nanthur, Vamanjur, Gurupur, Kaikamba, Bajpe routes”, he informed.
MP, MLA Visit Site Parliamentarian Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLA Umanath Kotian, Dr. Bharat Shetty, and former member of the Vidhan Sabha, Ivan D'Souza, visited the spot and inspected the site.
Speaking to the press at the site, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said that the bridge would be repaired.
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Dakshina Kannada district administration gears up for monsoon season
Mangaluru (PTI): The Dakshina Kannada district administration has got down to work ahead of the monsoon season (June to August) by beginning preparations to tackle various rain-related issues.
At a meeting held on Tuesday, the district authorities, Deputy Commissioner Mullai Muhilan MP reached out to the ground-level bureaucracy with directions on how to handle the challenges during the monsoon season.
Addressing the drinking water and disaster management authority officials, he highlighted the problems faced due to poor maintenance of the electrical system under Mangaluru Electric Supply Company (MESCOM) and said it was not just failure of power supply during rains but also snapping of live cables and falling electric poles which were a concern.
Since this would cause serious damage to life and property, he urged MESCOM to take precautions by carrying out inspections.
Muhilan also directed MESCOM to deploy additional men and open more control rooms across the district during the monsoon season and said both urban and rural areas must be given equal importance.
Muhilan said in the run-up to the monsoons, the existing domestic water availability should be managed prudently.
At the meeting, emphasis was laid on cleaning of dumping yards and garbage disposal areas before the monsoon.
The health department was asked to take precautionary measures against the spread of infectious diseases such as dengue and malaria during the rainy season.
He said that the National Highway should list areas where landslides occur in Charmadi Ghat areas and information should be made available to people about traffic related issues in ghat areas.
The district Deputy Commissioner instructed the Fisheries Department to hold a meeting on precautionary measures for fishermen during the rainy season.
