The Kusmalli bridge that partly caved in causing traffic disruption.
Photo Credits: Louis Rodrigues
BELAGAVI
Traffic on the busy Belagavi–Goa road via Chorla has been disrupted since late Sunday evening after a diversion on the Malaprabha River near the old Kusmalli bridge near Jamboti partly caved in.
There was a sudden rise in the flow of the Malaprabha River due to incessant rains in the Jamboti-Kankumbi forest area.
While traffic has been diverted via Khanapur, limited movement of bikes and light motor vehicles has resumed since Monday evening.
According to NHAI Project Director Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, only two-wheeler movement is currently permitted on the bridge as water levels have begun to recede. Heavy vehicles and four-wheelers are still restricted due to safety concerns.
The bridge, which is a key point on the Belagavi–Chorla–Goa route, saw a complete halt in traffic earlier today after river water overflowed due to the continuous downpour in the region.
The old British-era narrow bridge was demolished earlier this year and work on the new bridge is underway, being carried out on a war footing.
Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and will issue further updates based on rainfall and water flow patterns.
