A partial bridge collapse in Vuniyasi, Nadi on Monday evening has significantly affected around 2,000 families in neighboring communities, including Malakua, Vuniyasi, Malolo, Navo, and Tunalia. Fortunately, a family narrowly avoided serious injuries when their vehicle plummeted into the river following the bridge’s failure. They were swiftly rescued by two bystanders who witnessed the frightening incident.
Advisory councillor Pranilesh Chandra highlighted that the bridge was a crucial route for local residents, particularly students commuting to Swami Vivekanand College and AD Patel Primary School. He noted that previous repairs had sustained the bridge, but the recent collapse has left it largely unusable.
Prior to the incident, even large cane trucks could traverse the bridge, which made access significantly easier. However, traveling from the Malolo side now takes over 30 minutes, almost doubling the previous travel time of 15 to 20 minutes due to the detour necessitated by the collapse.
Mr. Chandra also indicated that the damaged infrastructure has led to water disruptions affecting many families, compounding the difficulties faced by the community. He urged the government and the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) to promptly address the bridge’s repair needs.
In response to the situation, the FRA has acknowledged the bridge’s condition and the associated risks to community members. They have committed to working on rehabilitation and repair strategies.
While questions posed to the Water Authority of Fiji have not yet received responses, the community remains hopeful for a swift resolution, emphasizing the importance of centralized infrastructure for daily life. This incident underscores the critical nature of reliable transportation and water services in rural areas, and advocates for proactive measures in infrastructure maintenance and improvement to better serve these communities in the future.
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