A nearly 40-year-old bridge over the Vedavati River near Konigarahalli in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district has developed visible cracks, triggering concern among residents and daily commuters. The bridge serves as a key connection between Challakere town and several surrounding villages, with thousands of students, motorists, and local residents relying on it every day. Locals say the structure has been deteriorating for some time and fear that continued use without repairs could pose a serious safety risk.

Residents have accused the authorities of failing to carry out timely maintenance despite repeated warnings about the bridge’s condition. They have demanded an immediate structural inspection by engineering experts to determine whether the bridge is safe for public use. Depending on the findings, villagers have urged the administration to undertake urgent repair work or reconstruct the bridge if necessary to prevent any untoward incident.

People from nearby villages have also called for precautionary measures until the inspection is completed. They have requested the authorities to arrange an alternative route if the bridge is declared unsafe and consider restricting heavy vehicles or temporarily closing the structure. Residents have appealed to the district administration to act without delay, warning that ignoring the issue could lead to a major accident and put thousands of commuters at risk.