On Wednesday, a pier of a 70-year-old bridge on the Ghataprabha river partially collapsed at Ghataprabha village in Belagavi district. The damaged pier, a stone masonry structure that supports the concrete bridge, began to fall near the Seva Dal premises on the Saneshwar-Gokak road. Commuters alerted the police, who then diverted traffic by morning to avoid accidents. Barricades were placed at both ends of the road leading to the bridge. Irrigation officials also stopped water flow into the canal under the bridge. They told reporters in Golak on February 18, "The situation will be assessed and repair works will begin soon." A joint inspection with Public Works Department officers is planned. They added, "A proposal for a new bridge will also be considered."