The Gobichettipalayam Municipality has reportedly received representations from the public for replacement of the arch at Karattur end that collapsed on Wednesday after a lorry rammed against a side pillar.
The impact was such that the driver of the cement-laden lorry who had reportedly dozed off died on the spot, and his body had to be retrieved after a hour-long struggle from the concrete debris of the imposing pillar that had fallen heavily and damaged the front portion of the vehicle.
Since the destroyed arch and another at the other end of the town carrying the inscription ‘Gobichettipalayam Nagaratchi’ befitting the stature of one among oldest municipalities in the country were dedicated by late Chief Minister Kamaraj during 1958, organisations representing sections of the public on Thursday urged the local body to replace the structure. For the last one year, councillors cutting across party lines had been insisting on strengthening of the pillars that had reportedly developed cracks. The structure had collapsed due to its weak condition, local sources said.
