Bridge Collapse on Kali River Disrupts Goa-Karnataka Traffic

A bridge on the Kali river collapsed early Wednesday, causing heavy traffic on national highway no. 66 between Goa and Karnataka. A truck fell into the river, but the driver was rescued. Traffic was rerouted, and authorities are assessing the stability of the new bridge.

In the early hours of Wednesday, a bridge spanning the Kali river collapsed, causing significant traffic disruption on national highway no. 66, which connects Goa with Karnataka, according to government officials.

A truck crossing the bridge at the time plunged into the river below. Local fishermen quickly responded and managed to rescue the driver, according to a police official from Karwar in neighboring Karnataka as reported by PTI.

The bridge in question at Sadashivgad, Karnataka, was an older structure previously utilized for Goa-bound traffic until a new bridge was constructed a decade ago, an official said. Following the collapse, traffic on the newly built bridge was temporarily halted, although it was later reopened for all vehicles except heavy ones. Authorities from Karnataka are currently assessing the new bridge's stability, as noted by Harish Raut Desai, in-charge of Canacona police station, Goa, who also mentioned ongoing collaboration with Karwar police to manage the situation on the highway.