Kollam: The Enath bridge over Kallada river in Adoor connecting Kollam and Pathanamthitta districts was open after maintenance works on Thursday. The bridge remained shut since January 10 after one of the pillars damaged dangerously, giving a harrowing time for motorists. The public works department undertook the job based on the directions of an expert team led by retired IIT professor Dr Aravind, which found cracks and the concrete weakened underwater due to abrasion.
The iron rods in the pillar was also visible outside apparently due to lack of proper maintenance. An expert diving team from Kochi filmed damages underwater due to the sinking of the pier that supports the concrete. The elastomeric bearing under the pier, which acts as a shock absorber, was replaced during the maintenance. A makeshift Bailey bridge erected by the Army provided passage for light vehicles. The commuters using public transport and goods vehicles can now avoid long diversions and save at least an hour on their journey along the MC road after the opening of the bridge by works minister, G. Sudhakaran, in the presence of Aisha Potti MLA.
