Day after launch, tourists disappointed as floating bridge breaks away at RK Beach; delinking deliberate, say officials

VISAKHAPATNAM: Less than a day after the floating bridge was inaugurated on Sunday amidst pomp and much fanfare, tourists were left disappointed as the bridge broke down into three pieces at the RK Beach on Monday.

A portion of the bridge broke away on Monday and got washed away about 100 metres into the sea. Luckily no visitor was standing on the bridge at the point. The bride was inaugurated by Rajya Sabha MP YV Subba Reddy and IT Minister Gudivada Amarnath.

The bridge is designed on the lines of the floating Sea Bridge at Chavakkad Beach in Kerala. A team from the Visakhapatnam Metro Regional Development Authority (VMRDA), which toured Kerala last year, was inspired by the bridge at Chavakkad Beach. Following this, the officials made a proposal to the Government to install a similar bridge in the city. A private operator took up the installation and operation of the bridge. The VMRDA is expected to generate an annual revenue of over Rs 15 lakh from the operator.

Meanwhile, VMRDA officials have denied the propaganda that the floating bridge washed away "Whenever the wave surge is too high we will remove the joints," said VMRDA officer Ravindra.