Traffic between Mangaluru and Bajpe affected as minor bridge on SH-67 becomes unstable

The collapsed portion of the old minor bridge at Karambar, between Mangaluru International Airport and Bajpe, on Wednesday.

| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRAGEMENT

Vehicular movement between Mangaluru and Bajpe on Mangaluru-Athradi State Highway 67 was affected after an old minor bridge, built in 1963 at Karambar, between Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) and Bajpe, became unstable following the collapse of a portion of its arch on Wednesday.Traffic between the city and the airport, however, was not affected as the damaged bridge was located beyond MIA. Those travelling from Bajpe to the airport, however, would be affected and would have to use alternative roads to reach the airport as well as Mangaluru city.Consequently, vehicular movement between the city and pilgrim centre Kateel too was disturbed. The district administration has advised road users to travel via Porkodi-Jokatte to reach the city and Jarinagara to reach the airport.Engineers with the Public Works Department (PWD) said the department had sent proposals to the government a few years ago for the reconstruction of the minor bridge. The government, however, did not approve it. The department would again send an emergency proposal following the extensive damage caused to the structure and get it approved on priority.After attending to the damage and restoring the bridge on a temporary basis, vehicles, other than very heavy ones, could be allowed to ply on the stretch till the new bridge was constructed, the engineers added. Published - September 02, 2026 08:26 pm IST