Two Girders of Under-Construction Bridge Collapse in Telangana Due to Strong Winds

On the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, April 23, 2024, two girders of an under-construction bridge across the Manair River in Telangana's Peddapalli district collapsed due to strong winds. The incident occurred in Odedu village of Mutharam mandal, but there were no casualties reported.

The bridge, which was being constructed to connect Odedu to Garmillapalli village in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district, has been under construction since 2016. The work on the kilometer-long bridge was delayed due to a change of contractor, lack of funds, and other reasons. The estimated cost of the bridge was Rs 47.40 crore, and it was scheduled to be finished within a year.

The bridge was anticipated to reduce the distance between Manthani and Parakal, and Bhupalpally and Jammikunta towns by about 50 kilometers. It would have provided a vital transportation link for residents in the area.

Why this matters: The collapse of the under-construction bridge highlights the need for proper safety measures and quality control in infrastructure projects. It also emphasizes the importance of timely completion of such projects to avoid inconvenience to the public and potential safety hazards.

Officials are investigating the cause of the collapse and assessing the damage to determine the next steps in the construction process. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges and risks involved in major infrastructure projects, especially in the face of unpredictable weather conditions.

Key Takeaways

• Bridge under construction in Telangana collapsed due to strong winds, no casualties.
• Bridge construction delayed since 2016 due to contractor change, lack of funds.
• Bridge was expected to reduce travel distance by 50 km, provide vital link.
• Collapse highlights need for safety, quality control in infrastructure projects.
• Officials investigating cause, assessing damage to determine next construction steps.