More than 75 families residing in the area have been stranded after the incident.
Local sources informed that the four pillars of the mini bridge were washed away in the wee hours of Tuesday by heavy pressure of flood water.
The bridge had reduced the distance between two villages for two wheelers and three wheelers apart from pedestrians for past 40 years. A temporary arrangement has been made for the movement of pedestrians by keeping areca-nut trees on the collapsed bridge.
Several cracks had appeared on the bridge during the beginning days of monsoon rain and two of the pillars were on the verge of collapse. Local people have expressed anger over the lethargic attitude of politicians and officials in this issue.
“We had brought the issue to the notice of politicians including Mangalore MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, District In-charge Minister Krishna J Paleamar and Bantwal MLA B Ramanath Rai two months ago, but in vain,” lamented a local resident.
“Mr Palemar had informed that government had sanctioned Rs 48 lakhs to build a new bridge. But, we don't know what they did with that money,” he said.
Meanwhile Deputy Commissioner Dr N S Chennappa Gowda visited the spot on Tuesday evening.
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