Mangaluru: The bridge at Maravoor near Bajpe providing a vital link to the Mangaluru International Airport has developed major cracks due to heavy rains during the wee hours on Tuesday.

There is a fear that the bridge may collapse any moment as the pillar on one part of the bridge has been damaged, officials sources said.

Traffic on the bridge has been completely suspended as a precautionary measure. As a new bridge construction is underway nearby, an embankment constructed might have led to pressure leading to the collapse of the pillar, they said.

Senior officials, including City Police Commissioner N Shashi Kumar, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLAs Dr Bharath Shetty, Umanath Kotian, former MLC Ivan D’Souza and others visited the spot.

Those coming to the airport from Udupi can reach via Mulki, Kinnigoli, Kateel and Bajpe while those coming to the airport from Kasargod and Mangaluru can travel on the Vamanjoor, Gurupur, Kaikamba, Bajpe road, the officials.

Meanwhile, locals fear unabated sand mining might have damaged the pillar of the bridge.