- By Priyanka Koul
- Tue, 26 Nov 2024 11:45 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Kanpur: A section of the 175-year-old Ganga Bridge that connected Kanpur to Unnao via Shuklaganj and extended to Kothi on the Kanpur side collapsed early Tuesday morning. Fortunately, no casualties were reported during the event, as reported by PTI.
The collapse is attributed to the poor condition of the British-era bridge, which had been closed to heavy crowds and vehicular traffic around two years ago due to safety concerns and the condition of the old bridge.
There has been ongoing discussion about preserving this old Ganga bridge, but the authorities have yet to decide whether it will be restored or fully demolished. The bridge is a popular architectural design of its era, widely known for its iconic dual-tier design, with pedestrians using the lower level and vehicles operating on the upper level. It gained widespread recognition, featuring in several Bollywood films, and inspired the famous saying, "Kanpur Kanakaiya, Neeche Bahti Ganga Maiya" (Kanpur above, and the Ganga flows below).
VIDEO | Uttar Pradesh: Part of 175-year-old Ganga bridge collapses in Shuklaganj, #Unnao. No injuries were reported in the incident.#UPNews
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 26, 2024
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/l9Cjj5NxYK
The section of the old Ganga Bridge between pillars 9 and 10 on the Kanpur side collapsed into the Ganga River early in the morning. People who had come for a holy dip in the Ganga noticed the fallen portion of the bridge, causing panic in the area. So far, no official from any department has reached the site, reported Jagran Correspondent.
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It is noteworthy that this traffic bridge was built during the British era in 1875. This bridge was operational for 146 years before being declared dilapidated on April 5, 2021, at 12:06 AM and subsequently closed for traffic. Mukesh Chandra Sharma, the then Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD), Kanpur, had submitted a report to the then District Magistrate (DM) of Kanpur, Alok Tiwari, stating that the old Ganga Bridge in Shuklaganj was no longer fit for traffic. Following this report, the District Magistrate ordered its closure for the public.