Police register case over damage to bridge

The Harbour Police have registered a case relating to the incident in which the new Venduruthy Bridge sustained damage after being hit by a dredger on Wednesday.

The case has been registered invoking Sections 280 (rash navigation of vessel), 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others), and 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of the Indian Penal Code, following a complaint lodged by the Public Works Department (PWD).

The dredger floated around the backwaters after its engine stopped functioning and was tugged away to safety by Navy vessels.

Hitting the waters in the region requires the permission of Naval authorities, and PWD officials are confident of securing the permission shortly after having submitted an application.

If the damage happens to be graver than what it appears, then the dredger operator will have to bear the expenses of rectifying it, said the official.

Meanwhile, a video of the incident made the rounds on social media on Friday. Local fishermen had taken the video and had handed it over to PWD officials as well.