A historic bridge built during the British era collapsed into the Ganga River near Kanpur and Unnao in the early hours of Tuesday, leaving a section of the community reflecting on its legacy and eventual deterioration. However, no casualties were reported as the structure had been closed to traffic since 2021.

The bridge, constructed in 1874 by the Avadh and Rohilkhand Railway Limited Company, connected Kanpur to Unnao across the Ganga River. It had been an important link for over a century before being deemed unsafe for use. Locals reported that the collapse occurred around 2 am, with a segment between two pillars falling into the river.

Ashu Awasthi, a resident, noted, “A portion between two pillars of the bridge fell into the Ganga after 2 am. No one was hurt as the bridge was closed for traffic.”

Closure and Cracks Prompted Precautionary Measures

The bridge was shut down completely in April 2021 following the discovery of deep cracks in key sections of its structure. Residents recalled media reports at the time citing structural issues in rooms numbered 2, 10, 17, and 22 from the Kanpur side, leading authorities to close the bridge as a precautionary measure.

Panda Raju, another local, shared, “At that time, it was known through the media that deep cracks were found, due to which the administration completely closed the bridge.”

The collapse has drawn a crowd of locals, many of whom captured videos and photos of the fallen structure. These visuals quickly spread across social media, highlighting the state of neglect faced by several historic structures in the region.

Krishna Kumar, a resident living near the riverbank, claimed that government officials visited the site briefly on Tuesday morning. “They came in a vehicle registered in Lucknow, examined the broken section, and left shortly after,” he said.

As of now, there has been no official statement from government authorities regarding the collapse. The incident raises questions about the maintenance of ageing infrastructure and the preservation of heritage structures that hold historical significance.

The bridge built nearly 150 years ago, was a testament to British-era engineering and an enduring landmark in the Shuklaganj area of Unnao district. Its collapse underscores the need for timely intervention in preserving structures of historical and functional importance.

For now, the focus remains on understanding what led to the final failure of this iconic bridge and ensuring that similar heritage structures are safeguarded in the future.

(With PTI inputs)