Vehicular traffic on the Enathu bridge, near Adoor, on MC Road was regulated on Tuesday evening after cracks were detected in the concrete just above a pier.
There was a loud sound when a tanker lorry passed by the middle portion of the bridge around 6.30 p.m., according to Avinash Palleenazhikathu, Western Ghats Protection Council leader, who was present at the spot.
Auto drivers there inspected the spot and found cracks in the concrete just above a pier, besides a slightly widened gap between two cement pillars of the hand rails on the eastern side of the bridge.
They alerted the police and local MLA Chittayam Gopakumar who rushed to the spot. Minister for Agriculture V.S. Sunilkumar, who was passing by, too joined them.
The MLA and the Minister personally verified the damage caused to the bridge and contacted Minister for Public Works G. Sudhakaran, the District Collectors of Pathanamthitta and Kollam, and the Kerala State Transport Project Chief Engineer. Kottarakkara MLA Aysha Potti too reached the spot.
Mr. Gopakumar told The Hindu that Adoor Revenue Divisional Officer R. Reghu and a team of experts from the Public Works Department inspected the bridge and permitted two-wheelers and autorickshaws on it, while diverting other vehicles through Nellimottilpady and Kadambanad.
Experts suspect slight sinking of a bridge pier and a detailed inspection will be carried out on Tuesday.
The Works Minister accompanied by PWD Chief Engineer P.K. Satheeshan inspected the bridge in the night. Mr. Satheesahn said the rubber bearing between the bridge pier and the beam was found damaged and the work to replace it would begin on Wednesday.
The new concrete bridge, across the Kallada river was constructed in 1998.
