Bridge Collapses in ASR, 40 Villages Hit
Annavaram villagers demand probe into Rs 70 lakh structure’s failure after moderate rain
Visakhapatnam: A small bridge over a stream in Annavaram village of VR Puram mandal in in Alluri Sitharama Raju district collapsed on Saturday following rain in the night. Villagers in the mandal were surprised by the collapse, as the structure was only a year old and the rain had been moderate.
A few villagers told this correspondent on Sunday that the old bridge was abandoned due to damages and the new bridge was constructed last year at a cost of Rs 70 lakh.
The villagers demanded that the collector launch an inquiry and take action against the contractor and the officials who had colluded with him.
They said 40 villages were cut off, as this was the only road to connect them with VR Puram and Kuneru mandals. Around 200 children cannot attend schools in VR Puram and Kuneru, as the road is now cut off.
District collector A.S. Dinesh Kumar told this correspondent that an inquiry was ordered and the concerned officials were told to restore the bridge temporarily till a permanent bridge was constructed.
