Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jul 17: The major link and shortest route to the international airport from the city here passes through Maravoor bridge. This bridge had developed cracks after one of its pillars jerked. The slab at the section of the bridge that had lunged down as a result was restored to its original position on Friday July 16. After conducting safety checks, the bridge is likely to be opened for vehicular movement in August.

In spite of tough conditions and hostile climate the work of lifting the slab to its original position was started on Thursday night under the advice of technicians form Bengaluru and Kerala. The task was completed on Friday afternoon.

PWD officials said that the work was got done by its Mangaluru division though contractors, Mugurody Constructions.

The state highway 67 from Mangaluru to Atrady that connects the airport has a bridge built across Phalguni river 54 years ago on this route. The last pillar of the bridge had jerked down for about 2.5 feet on June 15 early morning, and had resulted in cracks on the bridge. Vehicular traffic remains barred on the bridge for the last about a month.

A new bridge is being built next to the old bridge. Many had suspected that the pillar would have moved a bit due to the fact that rainwater had got accumulated on one portion of the river where the pillar under question is located, because of the ongoing work of the new bridge construction.