Date:06/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/06/stories/2008100652930300.htm

Karnataka

Part of bridge across Hirehall nala collapses

Staff Correspondent

Koppal: Vehicular traffic on National Highway 63, which connects Bellary and Goa through Hubli, has been disrupted following the collapse of a bridge across the Hirehall Nala, 4 km from Koppal town.

According to reports, the bridge, constructed in 1964, developed cracks due to lack of maintenance. The pillars, which support the structure, have been severely damaged and two of them have even collapsed, blocking vehicular movement.

Movement restricted

Traffic on the bridge had increased manifold since the past two years owing to the continued transportation of manganese ore to Goa and other places. Movement of vehicles will be suspended till a new bridge is built.

Deputy Commissioner of Koppal, Ramanna Naik, who visited the spot on Sunday, asked the officials of the Public Works Department to construct a temporary pathway across the nala till a new bridge was built.