COIMBATORE: The Coimbatore division of the national highways is awaiting approval of the National Highways Authority of India for construction of a new bridge across the Bhavani river at Mettupalayam.According to a higher official from national highways Coimbatore division, the department had already sent a proposal for building a new bridge near the existing one at a cost of Rs 20 crore.The existing concrete bridge on the national highway was built in 1984. It is a key link between Mettupalayam in Coimbatore district and hill destinations like Ooty and Kotagiri in the Nilgiris. Thousands of vehicles, including heavy vehicles, use the bridge daily.CITU taluk secretary S Basha submitted a petition to officials stating that the bridge has deteriorated over the years and needs urgent attention. He said the structure experiences severe vibrations when heavy vehicles and buses cross it, raising concerns about structural safety. He pointed to the damaged parapet walls on both sides of the bridge, with rusted reinforcement bars exposed in several sections. The damaged portions have increased the risk to pedestrians, especially where protective side barriers are missing.Potholes on the bridge deck have added to safety concerns. “With repairs delayed, the potholes have been filled up with sand and debris, posing a heightened accident risk for two-wheeler riders,” he said.On Nov 6, 2026, the NHAI directed the Coimbatore divisional engineer to inspect the bridge and expedite repair and maintenance work. Basha urged authorities to initiate restoration measures immediately to prevent accidents and ensure safety for motorists and pedestrians.“We have inspected the existing bridge and are taking measures to resolve the issue. Once the proposal to construct new bridge is sanctioned, we’ll also carry out the repair work at the existing bridge. Further, the maintenance contract will be finalised by next week so that we could carry the small repair work,” the national highways official said.
