A Rs16 crore bridge built across the Thenpennai River in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, collapsed within three months of its inauguration, leaving residents shocked and raising questions about the quality of construction.
The bridge, inaugurated in September, was constructed to connect the villages of Agaram Palli Pattu and Thondamanur, solving a long-standing issue for residents who had to travel 15 kilometers to cross the river during irrigation water releases from the Sathanur Dam.
Under the Tamil Nadu Highways Department, the bridge was constructed using funds from NABARD and the Rural Roads Scheme. On September 2, Tamil Nadu Minister E.V. Velu inaugurated the 119-foot-high bridge, which was intended to ease transportation for the affected villages.
However, heavy rains from the Bengchal cyclone caused the Sathanur Dam to overflow, with over 1.68 lakh cubic feet of water being released into the Thenpennai River. The resulting flood submerged several areas and damaged infrastructure.
The floodwaters swept away the ₹16 crore bridge, leaving locals outraged and concerned. Many questioned how such an expensive structure could not withstand a single flood and raised doubts about the quality of the construction.
“Was the quality of the bridge never inspected by officials?” asked residents, demanding accountability for the disaster.
The collapse of the bridge has disrupted transportation in the region and left residents frustrated. Questions over the lack of proper supervision during construction and the responsibility of contractors and government officials are being raised.
The incident highlights the need for stricter quality checks and accountability in public infrastructure projects to prevent such failures in the future.