Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Aug 16: The Dakshina Kannada district administration has decided to prohibit heavy vehicle movement on the old Kulur bridge during the daytime for three days due to necessary repair work.

From August 19 to 21, heavy vehicles will be allowed to use the new bridge adjacent to the old one only between 10 pm and 6 am, and from 11 am to 3 pm. During the repairs, the new bridge will facilitate two-way traffic.

During this period, from 6 am to 11 am and from 3 pm to 10 pm, heavy vehicles traveling from Udupi towards Kerala should take the Mulky-Suratkal-MRPL-Bajpe-KPT-Nanthoor route. Depending on the outcome of this trial, the restriction may be extended from August 25 to September 25, as per the orders of deputy commissioner Mullai Muhilan.

The bridge, constructed nearly seven decades ago, was inaugurated by N Rangareddy, a minister from the Madras Province, in 1952. Despite the ongoing construction of a new bridge, progress has been notably slow, leaving the old bridge to bear the burden of thousands of vehicles daily.

In 2018, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) advised the Dakshina Kannada district administration to prohibit heavy vehicle movement on the Kulur bridge. An inspection conducted by M/s RV Associates from Hyderabad led to a report that prompted the bridge's renovation in 2020 using Micro Concrete technology at a cost of Rs 38 lac. At the time, then MP Nalin Kumar Kateel assured the public of the bridge’s safety, and the community placed their trust in his assurances.