PM District Residents Seek Solution For Damaged 93-Year Kotipamu Bridge
Built by the British in 1933, its prolonged use, inadequate maintenance, and recent heavy rainfall have weakened the structure further.
The 93-year-old Kotipamu bridge across the Janjavathi River in Komarada mandal of Parvathipuram Manyam district has fallen into a dangerous state of disrepair, prompting residents and area leaders to demand its replacement or comprehensive restoration.
The bridge is a crucial interstate road link between Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. Residents fear that its deteriorating condition poses a serious threat to motorists, passengers, and operators of heavy vehicles that regularly use the bridge.
Built by the British in 1933 on the Parvathipuram-Kuneru State Highway, the bridge has remained in service for more than nine decades. It continues to remain an important corridor connecting several communities across the three neighbouring states. However, prolonged use, inadequate maintenance, and recent heavy rainfall have weakened the structure further.
Large potholes had developed across the bridge, making travel increasingly hazardous. Rainwater collecting in the potholes has worsened the situation, making it difficult for motorists to assess their depth. Heavy vehicles using the bridge are believed to face a greater risk because of the damaged surface and the structure's age.
CPM Manyam district committee member Kolli Sambamurthy said the bridge requires immediate attention of AP government’s Roads and Buildings department. Their party had repeatedly petitioned the previous Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy administration to repair the existing bridge or replace it with a new structure.
Sambamurthy pointed out that several other ageing bridges in the region, including those at Sitanagaram, Paradi, and Thotapalli, have already been demolished and replaced with new structures. He said it is unfortunate that the Kotipamu bridge remains neglected despite its strategic importance of connecting three states.
The CPM leader demanded repair or replacement work without delay before the bridge’s deteriorating condition leads to a serious accident and loss of life.
Andhra Pradesh Girijana Sangham leader Rama Rao has also called for immediate government intervention. He further said the five days of continuous rainfall has damaged stretches along the Parvathipuram-Kuneru road, which need repair as soon as possible to safeguard motorists and passengers.
Rama Rao warned that if authorities fail to respond, their association would join commuters and local residents in launching large-scale protests at the Parvathipuram Manyam district collector’s office.
