Mangaluru : The Mangaluru International Airport connecting  road has been cut off after a portion of the major bridge across the Phalguni river at Maravoor caved in leading to the cracks on the one side of the bridge early on Tuesday.

It is said, the two pillars of the bridge have caved in by about three to four feet,  the bridge is the main link between the city, the airport, Bajpe and Kateel areas.

Travellers from the city and Kasaragod (Kerala) areas will have to reach the airport via Nanthoor, Vamanjoor, Gurupura, Kaikamba and Bajpe. Those coming from Udupi areas will have to reach the airport through Mulki, Kinnigoli, Kateel and Bajpe.

“Till the experts give their opinion on the safety of the bridge it will not be re-opened for traffic. The people will have to travel on the alternative routes suggested,” the Police Commissioner said.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLA Umanatha Kotyan, MLA Dr. Bharat Shetty and former MLC, Ivan D’Souza, visited the site. Local corporator Lohit Amin and other concerned officials accompanied.