Major tragedy averted as old canal Bridge collapses in Odisha’s Jeypore

A major tragedy was narrowly avoided on Saturday morning when an old canal bridge near Jeypore suddenly collapsed. Fortunately, there were no pedestrians or vehicles on the bridge at the time, preventing what could have been a devastating accident with potential casualties.

The bridge, located near Badapadar on the outskirts of Jeypore, was one of the oldest canal bridges under the state’s Irrigation Department. According to local residents, the structure unexpectedly gave way, sending chunks of concrete and debris into the canal below.

Concerns Over Aging Infrastructure

The incident has raised significant concerns regarding the structural safety of aging public infrastructure, highlighting the urgent need for periodic safety audits. Many local residents expressed their fears that similar incidents could occur if proper maintenance and safety checks are not conducted regularly on such critical structures.

Disruption to Local Connectivity

The collapse of the bridge has severely disrupted connectivity to several villages under Bariniput Panchayat. The bridge had been a vital link for daily commuters, farmers transporting their produce, and schoolchildren. As a result, residents are now forced to take longer alternative routes, causing significant inconvenience and delays.

Police and Official Response

Local police from the Sadar Police Station arrived at the scene shortly after the collapse and have been monitoring the situation. Authorities are expected to carry out a detailed technical assessment to determine the exact cause of the collapse and plan the next steps.

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At the time of filing this report, no comments had been received from officials of the Irrigation Department regarding the incident or any immediate plans for repairs.