Heavy vehicles banned along Kuloor old bridge

Mangaluru: Based on the report submitted by experts that the old bridge at Kuloor along NH 66 is not safe for vehicular movement, the district administration passed an order on Tuesday completely banning the movement of heavy vehicles across the bridge.

The construction of the new bridge will begin soon. Until the completion of the work on the new bridge, the movement of heavy vehicles along the old bridge has been stopped temporarily. In the backdrop of providing alternate route and facilities, the Deputy Commissioner has directed to strictly implement the rule within a week.

Bullet tanker; alternate road

The bullet tankers travelling from Udupi to Bengaluru will have travel via Padubidri-Karkala-Guruvayana Kere- Dharmasthala-Kokkada-Periyashanti. Bullet tankers travelling from Kerala to Udupi will have to pass via KPT-Kavoor-Bajpe-Kana-Surathkal.

Bus lorry on the new bridge

Lorry, bus, tankers and other heavy vehicles proceeding from Udupi towards Mangaluru are banned from entering the old bridge. Two-traffic facility will be provided along the new bridge at Kuloor.

Light vehicles on old bridge

Only light vehicles are permitted to pass along the old bridge. Two-way vehicle movement will be allowed along the old bridge for light vehicles like car, jeep, tempo, auto-rickshaw and two wheelers. Other vehicles will be allowed to pass through the new bridge where two-way movement will be permitted. There is fear that this new arrangement may lead to traffic problems.

Old bridge unfit for vehicular movement

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) had appointed M/S RV Associates from Hyderabad to inspect the old bridge, who later submitted a report to National Highway Authority that the old bridge was unfit to support vehicular movement. This was followed by another similar report submitted by the experts of the survey team of the Bharat Mala Plan. Hence, the NH authority sent a report to the district administration on Sep 27^th last year, advising to stop vehicular movement along the old bridge.