WATCH: Unnao's 150-Year-Old Bridge Collapses into Ganga River, Raising Safety Concerns

Lucknow (The Uttam Hindu): A historic British-era traffic bridge, which had been closed for the past four years, collapsed into the Ganga River on Monday night in the Shuklaganj area of Unnao. The bridge, located between Kanpur and Unnao districts, caused a significant stir in the region.

Constructed in 1874 by the Oudh and Rohilkhand Limited Company during British rule, the bridge had stood for nearly 150 years. However, in 2021, major cracks appeared on the Kanpur side, particularly in piers numbered 2, 10, 17, and 22, leading to its closure. Barricades were put up at both ends to restrict access.

Spanning 800 meters, the bridge was designed under the supervision of Resident Engineer S.B. Newton and Assistant Engineer E. Wedgard. Originally built to last a century, it endured for 150 years before its structural integrity began to deteriorate.

The bridge was officially shut to traffic on April 5, 2021. A scientific team from Delhi conducted an assessment and estimated the restoration costs at ₹29.5 crore, but the local administration decided to keep the bridge closed.

Between Monday night and Tuesday morning, a section of the bridge near the central pillar suddenly collapsed into the river. Onlookers captured the incident on video, which quickly spread on social media, raising concerns. The administration has begun demolishing the collapsed portion to ensure the safety of river traffic and bathers below. Authorities are also considering options to preserve the remaining parts of the structure.