Bridge collapse at Sadashivgad on Kali river triggers heavy traffic on NH 66 in Karnataka | WATCH

In the early hours of Wednesday, a bridge over the Kali river collapsed, leading to significant traffic congestion on National Highway No. 66, which connects Goa and Karnataka. According to officials, the collapse occurred around 1 a.m.

A truck was crossing the bridge at the time of the collapse and fell into the river. Local fishermen rescued the driver, as confirmed by a police official from Karwar, Karnataka. The bridge in question, located at Sadashivgad, was an old structure that had been in use for Goa-bound traffic since the construction of a new bridge a decade ago.

Impact on traffic

Following the incident, traffic on the newly constructed bridge was temporarily halted to assess any potential damage. Later, light vehicles were permitted to cross, but heavy vehicles were still restricted. The Karwar police stated that the movement on the new bridge was limited as a precautionary measure while authorities checked its stability.

Authorities' response

Goa's Canacona police station in-charge, Harish Raut Desai, mentioned that the Goa police were working closely with their Karwar counterparts to manage the situation and ensure safety on the highway. The collapse has prompted a thorough inspection of the new bridge to prevent further incidents and ensure the safety of commuters.