Bridge from 1932 at Penamaluru,near Vijayawada,partially collapsed early Thursday,cutting off access between National Highway-65 and nearby villages . Luckily,no injuries — structure gave way when pedestrian traffic was low.
Closed to vehicles for about a decade,the bridge was still used by pedestrians. Witnesses called the collapse a big event. One local fisherman relieved it happened quietly. "Fortune smiled that bridge collapsed early morning,when no one was around. No injuries," he said.
Cause still unknown. Local MLA Bode Prasad blames age-related wear. While this bridge fell into disrepair,others like Uppuluru and Kesarapalli still standing. Proposals for new bridges submitted to government.
Spanning Bandar Canal,it was once crucial for pedestrians and vehicles. A hub for fishermen and hawkers until a wider bridge built 15 to 20 years ago. Despite collapse,some vendors still hawking seafood from safer parts.
"In childhood,the old bridge was main road for both pedestrians and heavy vehicles," said Srinivasa Rao,a tailor watching ruins with others near new bridge. He stressed need for new bridge,citing growing traffic and safety worries. "Heavy vehicles,loaded with sand,make trips on new bridge,used by schoolchildren and pedestrians. Not safe," he added.
Plaque at site marks bridge's opening by then Chief Minister of Madras,B. Muniswami Naidu,on April 15,1932. As community reflects on loss of this historic structure,calls for urgent infrastructure action grow louder.
Residents now left grappling with collapse's impact. Many hope government acts fast on requests for new bridge to meet rising traffic demands…
