The Hindu : Traffic on Killipalam bridge disrupted

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 08, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram

Traffic on Killipalam bridge disrupted

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Feb. 7. Traffic along the Killipalam bridge on the NH 47 in the city was disrupted after one of the pillars supporting a six-inch drinking water pipe of the Kerala Water Authority passing under the bridge collapsed on Friday morning.

The pillar supporting the KWA pipe on the left side of the bridge collapsed around 10-45 a.m., creating panic among motorists and other road-users. A small chunk of the approach road near the Sub Registrar's office also caved in at the same time, causing concern among the authorities.

The pillar, made of brick, collapsed after it was rendered weak by a leak in the pipeline. The pillar had also been weakened by the removal of earth near its base for the ongoing construction of the new bridge parallel to it. The leak occurred near the `boring point' of the pipe, from which connections are provided to the service lines. The KWA immediately closed the valve and plugged the leak. Another leak was detected in an adjacent four-inch pipe of the KWA. The leaks in the lines were sealed and pumping resumed by about 4 p.m.

The KWA has now temporarily supported the pipes by tying them to the bridge. A KWA official said two of the pillars supporting the water pipe had been damaged. Sandbags have been placed by the PWD(NH) authorities at the spot where the pillar collapsed to prevent further caving in of the approach road.

As the bridge was closed for traffic around 11-30 a.m., the vehicles proceeding to and from Thampanoor to Karamana were diverted. While the vehicles proceeding to Karamana were diverted via Bakery junction and Poojapura, those coming from Neyyattinkara side were diverted from Kaimanam, Thiruvallom and East Fort.

With the PWD(NH) officials certifying the bridge "safe and fit'' for the movement of vehicles after inspection, two-wheelers were allowed to proceed through it by the authorities from 1-30 p.m. onwards. Other vehicles, including heavy vehicles, were allowed to go over the bridge after the work of placing the sandbags was completed by around 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, the work on the new bridge and approach roads being built by the PWD(NH) at Killipalam at an estimated cost of Rs. 4 crores is progressing. The piling work for the new bridge is going on at present.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

Stories in this Section

Traffic on Killipalam bridge disrupted

Traders fall prey to extortionists

Fire at Senate hall triggers off panic

Snake bite: hospital told to pay damages