Proposal for reconstruction of Karambar bridge sent a year ago

The Public Works Department is constructing a temporary culvert following closure of the old arch minor bridge on Mangaluru-Athradi SH-67 on Thursday. | Photo Credit: H.S. MANJUNATH Traffic disruption on the Mangaluru International Airport-Bajpe section of the busy Mangaluru-Athradi State Highway 67 could have been avoided had the government approved a proposal sent a year ago for the reconstruction of the damaged minor arch bridge at Karambar.A portion of the minor arch bridge constructed in 1963 sunk on Wednesday, forcing the Public Works Department (PWD) to suspend vehicular movement on the bridge at Karambar, between MIA and Bajpe. The department had sent a proposal for the reconstruction of the bridge in March 2025 asking the government to sanction ₹2 crore for the work. It had said the bridge had become weak over the years because of vagaries of nature.The Karambar bridge reconstruction was one among many proposals from Dakshina Kannada district sent to the government for approval. A portion of the old arch minor bridge on Mangaluru-Athradi State Highway 67 sunk on Wednesday obstructing vehicular movement between Mangaluru and Bajpe. | Photo Credit: H.S. MANJUNATH Temporary diversionMeanwhile, the PWD commenced temporary traffic diversion work to facilitate vehicular movement through the stretch from Wednesday afternoon.It has been constructing an earthen culvert alongside the damaged minor bridge using concrete pipes to facilitate movement of vehicles. The structure could be in place in about a week, said PWD engineers.Only light motor vehicles might be allowed to pass through the earthen culvert while heavy motor vehicles would have to move on alternative roads, the engineers said. The Deputy Commissioner was expected to issue a notification formalising the traffic diversion plan.Engineers said as the minor bridge was completely damaged, the government was expected to sanction new bridge work immediately. The work should get completed before the onset of the next monsoon, till which traffic diversion would be in place.Traffic between the city and the airport, however, would not get affected as the damaged bridge was located beyond MIA. Those travelling from Bajpe to the airport, however, would be affected and will have to use alternative roads to reach the airport as well as Mangaluru city. Published - September 03, 2026 06:56 pm IST