Srikakulam: British-era bridge collapses; 70-tonne truck plunges into water

Srikakulam: A British-era bridge on Bahuda River at Ichhapuram collapsed while a stone-loaded truck was plying on the bridge.

The incident happened on Wednesday morning at around 6 am.

The truck carrying 70 tonnes of load fell into the waters. The truck driver and conductor suffered minor injuries. The gap between the bridge and river was only 20 meters due to which major accident was averted.

The bridge named as Ramachandra Raja was built in 1929 is on Kolkatta-Chennai National Highway - 5. On a daily basis, many heavy vehicles pass through the bridge. Source said that the locals have been complaining about the dilapidated condition of the bridge to the officials, but there was no action taken.

Due to the bridge collapse, heavy vehicles moving in that way are currently being diverted to other routes.