Broken Bridge is a bridge to nowhere, located in Chennai, South India. During the year 1977, the bridge partly collapsed due to strong currents of the river and has never been repaired. The bridge spans across the Adyar estuary, bordering the backend of the Theosophical Society. It was built in the late 18th century, with its construction completed in 1772. The bridge was initially built to connect Fort St. George in Chennai with the neighborhood of Saidapet across the Adyar River. Over time, the bridge fell into disuse and disrepair, earning its popular name "Broken Bridge. (However, please note that specific renovations or repairs to the bridge may have been carried out at different times since its original construction). It was built to facilitate the movement of fishermen from Santhome to Elliot's Beach over the mouth of the Adyar river.
The bridge was built in 1967. It cuts across the Adyar River mouth to connect the fishermen's hamlets on the Adyar side to that of Srinivasapuram on the other side. Fishermen who worked at the harbor would then take their tricycles and rickshaws across the bridge. The narrow bridge also facilitated the movement of cars and heavier vehicles, but only one at a time. Fisherfolks harvested fish here when the river was unpolluted. After the bridge collapsed in 1977, people had to go around the city to reach the harbor for work.[1]
The bridge has featured in films like Vaali, Aaytha Ezhuthu and Dejavu (2022 film).[1]