PALAKKAD: The basements of the concrete pillars on which the main bridge across the Bharathapuzha between Shoranur and Ernakulam is housed, are posing a severe threat as around five to six pillars have been exposed due to indiscriminate sand mining and the river’s heavy flow during monsoon.
While one bridge was built by the British, the second bridge was built during the doubling work of the Ernakulam-Shoranur railway line after Independence. The pillars of the second bridge are the ones which are exposed. Social activist Prasad K Shoranur said that more than 80 trains ply through the bridge on a daily basis and the exposed pillars are visible for anyone looking from above the bridge. He said that the basement of the pillars became visible after the water level receded in the Bharathapuzha after the district saw some respite from the heavy rain recently. Prasad K Shoranur demanded that a scientific study be conducted on the strength of the bridges by the Railways so as to ensure the safety of all passengers.