Vallai Bridge collapses, causing traffic problems in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 26 October 2004, 12:36 GMT]
The Vallai Bridge, the main link between the Vadamaradchi and Valigamam divisions of Jaffna, collapsed Monday afternoon, causing severe traffic problems on the major artery between Pt. Pedro and Jaffna towns. The bridge, built during British times, was damaged in heavy shelling by Sri Lanka army in 1994 and remained dilapidated since then with makeshift repairs.

Government Agent of Jaffna asked the SLA in January this year to remove its bunkers and sentries on either approaches to the bridge in order to commence repairs.

However, the military refused to so until late September.

Officials said work could not commence then because the rainy season had begun. The tattered props of the bridge gave way due to rains and floods in the Vallai lagoon, officials said.

Traffic between Vadamaradchi and Jaffna has to now take detour of more than 30 kilometres through Manthikai and Nunavil. The shorter detour, the road through Atchuvely, is blocked by the SLA.