A devastating incident unfolded in Telangana’s Peddapalli district as a portion of an under-construction bridge collapsed on Monday night. The bridge, spanning nearly one kilometer across the Manair river, was intended to connect Garmillapallu in Tekumatla mandal to Odededu in Peddapalli, aiming to reduce the distance between three towns significantly. However, after eight years of construction, the bridge met a tragic fate when two concrete girders out of five collapsed due to strong winds, leaving locals in shock and raising concerns about the safety of the remaining structure.
The collapse occurred around 9.45 pm, with the concrete girders giving way between two pillars situated about 100 feet apart. Fortunately, a potential disaster was averted as a marriage party of 65 people had just passed by a minute earlier, narrowly avoiding being crushed by the falling debris. The incident highlights the urgency of ensuring strict safety measures and thorough inspections during construction projects, especially those involving critical infrastructure like bridges.
Locals voiced their apprehensions, indicating that the remaining three girders might also be at risk of collapsing soon. The bridge’s troubled history includes delays in completion, cost escalations, and alleged disputes with the contractor. Reports suggest that the contractor had halted work due to financial issues and disagreements over payments from the government, raising questions about the project’s management and oversight.
The collapse of this bridge echoes a similar incident involving the same contractor, who had built another bridge in Vemulawada that was washed away during heavy rains in 2021. This sequence of events underscores the need for stringent quality control measures, timely completion of projects, and accountability in infrastructure development initiatives.
Local authorities, including the government and concerned agencies, must conduct a thorough investigation into the bridge collapse, assess the structural integrity of other infrastructure projects by the same contractor, and ensure the safety of residents who rely on these critical transport links.
Sources By Agencies