Nagapattinam residents flag structural damage on Athanapettai bridge

The Nagapattinam Town Development Association has urged the National Highways to take immediate action to repair the road bridge over the underpass at Athanapettai cave bridge, located off East Coast Road (ECR) near Puthur, after structural damage was reported on its northeastern side.

The association submitted a detailed petition highlighting the risk posed to commuters as well as the repeated neglect of the bridge, which was constructed barely eight years ago.

According to N.P. Bhashgaran, president of the association, the bridge links Athanapettai village panchayat on one side with Pappakoil panchayat on the other, forming a crucial link between the Rameswaram stretch of ECR and the interior habitations of Nagapattinam taluk. The route is used daily by hundreds of two-wheelers and four-wheelers, including 108 ambulances, fire tenders and essential service vehicles.

Heavy vehicular load from the elevated ECR main carriageway runs directly above the bridge, and residents say this has worsened the cracks during the northeast monsoon, raising fears of a collapse. “From the early days, the bridge has had problems. Several rounds of temporary repair work were carried out by the National Highways division, but the issues have returned each time,” Mr. Bhashgaran said.

R. Azhagu, a local resident, said that wide cracks had developed along the concrete retaining wall, with portions visibly displaced—clear signs of structural distress. He added that the damage has progressed to a stage where even a minor additional load or erosion during rainfall could potentially trigger a collapse.

When contacted, an official of the National Highways said the department would look into the issue.