Jamshedpur: One footpath of the old Mango bridge has become a death-trap for the past four days.

The dilapidated footpath linking pedestrians from Sakchi to Mango - and two-wheelers also during peak hours to beat the traffic on the parallel new Jai Prakash Narayan Setu - turned more dangerous when a slab broke, leading to a gap through which a child can fall into river Subernarekha flowing beneath.

Adding to the danger is the fact that the old bridge is less brightly lit up at night compared to Jai Prakash Narayan Setu.

Pedestrians are a worried lot.

"This is an accident waiting to happen, especially during the year-end festive season, when the number of pedestrians increase," said Kamal Kumar Das, an elderly resident of Dimna Road in Mango, who regularly used the footpath for his morning walk till the gap developed.

Pedestrian Geeta Dubey called the footpath slit scary. "A child can fall through. Even a slim adult can fall through," she said.

Rajendra Prasad Gupta, special officer of Mango Notified Area Committee (MNAC), the civic guardian of the bridge, promised immediate action when prodded by this reporter. "Yes, it's a serious thing and we will repair it as fast as possible."

Tata Steel subsidiary Jusco, which maintains lights on the bridge, promised immediate action. "We will coordinate with the local civic body (MNAC) to ensure the damaged portion of the footpath is repaired," said Jusco spokesperson Rajesh Rajan.

DC directives

East Singhbhum deputy commissioner (DC) Amit Kumar on Wednesday visited different parts of the city along with JNAC officials and SDO Dhalbhum Madhvi Mishra. DC Kumar directed parks at Jemco, Laxminagar and Birsanagar areas be beautified and all LED streetlights be functional.

Which footpaths, roads and bridges in your city are unsafe? Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com