Bridge Collapse on National Highway 66 Leads to Traffic Disruptions

An old bridge over the Kali River in Uttara Kannada district collapsed early Wednesday, causing significant traffic congestion on National Highway 66. The incident injured a truck driver, prompted a temporary halt to heavy vehicle traffic, and initiated a thorough safety check of a new bridge nearby.

An old bridge across the Kali river in the Uttara Kannada district collapsed in the early hours of Wednesday, causing major traffic disruptions along National Highway 66, which connects Goa to Karnataka.

The bridge collapsed around 1:30 am while a truck was crossing it, resulting in the driver falling into the river and sustaining injuries, according to Karwar police.

The damaged bridge had been in use for Goa-bound traffic since the construction of a new one a decade ago.

The truck driver, identified as Bala Murugan, 37, from Tamil Nadu, was admitted to Karwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital where he is reported to be in a stable condition and recovering.

Local fishermen and a night patrol team managed to rescue the driver after discovering the collapsed bridge. Heavy vehicle traffic was temporarily stopped on the new bridge, with only light vehicles allowed to pass.

Karnataka authorities, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, have mandated a safety inspection of all bridges and roads in the district. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has been asked to verify the stability of the new Kali bridge.

(With inputs from agencies.)