GUNTUR: A speeding vehicle crashed into the oldest bridge constructed in 1865 over the Kommamur canal at Chebrolu following which the ancient structure partially collapsed. Traffic on Guntur-Ponnur-Bapatla highway was halted following the incident. A lorry that developed some technical snag got stuck on the bridge. A speeding tipper, in a bid to overtake the stationary lorry, dashed against the railing and fell into the canal.
Apart from the railing, the footpath and adjacent part of the bridge also collapsed. Police stopped the entry of buses, lorries and other heavy vehicles on the damaged bridge. According to locals, the British government had constructed the bridge for the then Buckingham canal waterway purposes.
Over the years, the condition of the bridge became worse. Several complaints were made over the issue but in vain. In 2008 the government sanctioned Rs 3 crore to construct a new bridge under Delta modernisation works. But the Union government included the bridge in the national waterways hence the bridge work stopped. Police fished out the lorry and shifted injured to GGH for treatment. The stopped heavy vehicles were rerouted through Vatticherukuru route. Ponnur MLA D. Narendra, Guntur south DSP B. Srinivas Rao and officials inspected the damaged bridge. Mr Narendra said that he will take the issue to notice of the government for the construction of new bridge.
