Uttara Kannada, Aug 7 (IANS): An old bridge on the Kali River connecting Karwar city and Sadashivgadh, as well as linking Karnataka with Goa, collapsed on Wednesday in the Uttara Kannada district. No casualties have been reported yet in the incident.
However, a truck driver from Tamil Nadu had a miraculous escape and managed to emerge safely after his truck sank into the river following the collapse.
The police have gathered information about the incident from the public and from 37-year-old Bala Murugan, the truck driver who survived and ascertained that no casualty has been reported in the tragedy.
According to the police, Bala Murugan reported that he was driving the vehicle with registration number TN 52 AC 6880 alone when the bridge collapsed in the early hours. He confirmed that there were no other vehicles in front or behind him. Murugan expressed his shock and gratitude to those who rescued him.
After the bridge collapsed, Murugan and his truck fell into the Kali River. He managed to escape from the truck by breaking the front glass and calling for help while standing in the cabin. He was spotted by the beat police and later rescued by local fishermen and the police. He is currently receiving treatment at a hospital.
The Karwar police have filed two cases in connection with the incident against NHAI and the IRB Company. The search operation is ongoing, and no casualties have been reported so far.
Even as news of the collapse of the bridge across river Kali, which links Goa with Uttara Kannada district in the State, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has telephoned Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner Lakshmipriya to take precautionary measures to check the safety and stability of all bridges and roads in the district and take necessary measures to prevent loss of lives and other mishaps.
The bridge used by Goa-bound vehicle users was constructed 40 years back near Kodibagh and it was linking Karwar and Goa on National Highway Number 66. The old bridge was not in much use after the construction of the new bridge across Kali river, it is learnt.
The Deputy Commissioner Lakshmipriya informed the Chief Minister that a lorry driver from Hubballi, who was on the bridge when it collapsed early the morning around 1.30 am, was rescued local fishermen and admitted the hospital for treatment. The driver is presently out of danger, the chief minister was told.
The Deputy Commissioner also informed the Chief Minister that a National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has been officially requested to check the safety and stability of all bridges and highways in the region.