A British-era bridge over the Ramganga canal near Baraigadh village on the Sadh-Kudni road in Kanpur collapsed into the canal during the early hours of Sunday, according to officials. Fortunately, no one was on the bridge or in the surrounding area at the time, preventing a potential tragedy.
Decades-Old Structure in Dilapidated Condition
Officials reported that the bridge was several decades old and in a severely deteriorated state. While a new bridge was already under construction nearby, commuters continued to use the ageing structure for an extended period, raising concerns about its safety.
Allegations of Negligence
Local residents alleged that negligence by the canal department and inadequate maintenance led to the collapse. They claimed that a breach had occurred in the canal embankment nearly 20 days earlier due to obstructed water drainage, which served as a warning of a potential major mishap. Despite these indications, the canal department failed to take timely corrective measures, according to the allegations.
Scaffolding and Debris Accumulation
Villagers further alleged that iron scaffolding left in place around the side arches of the under-construction bridge led to the accumulation of debris, restricting the canal's flow. Consequently, water could pass only through the central arch, narrowing the channel and significantly increasing the speed of the current. This situation worsened after additional water was released into the canal, putting excessive pressure on the ageing bridge's foundation and ultimately causing the central portion to give way early Sunday.
Administration Responds
Following the collapse, the administration opened the nearly completed new bridge adjacent to the collapsed structure to restore traffic movement. Villagers demanded that the remaining construction work be completed without delay and that the canal be thoroughly cleaned to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Official Statement
Canal department junior engineer Ashish Pal stated that the Baraigadh canal bridge was several decades old and collapsed due to the heavy flow of water. He added that the Public Works Department had already been constructing a new bridge nearby, which has now been opened for traffic. The remaining work, including the installation of railings, will be completed soon, he assured.
