Overloaded truck causes bailey bridge collapse in Kinnaur
Shimla, June 23
Road connectivity in the remote tribal areas of Kinnaur district was severely disrupted after an old Bailey bridge collapsed into the Satluj River under the weight of an overloaded gravel truck on Tuesday.
According to preliminary reports, the truck carrying gravel had just crossed the bridge when the aging structure gave way and crashed into the river below. The incident occurred on a link road connected to the Hindustan-Tibet National Highway (NH-5), an important lifeline connecting the tribal district with the rest of Himachal Pradesh.
Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the mishap. However, the collapse has completely snapped road communication in the affected area, leaving several villages cut off and disrupting the movement of people, goods and essential services.
Local residents alleged that the bridge was in a dilapidated condition and had been under strain due to the frequent movement of overloaded vehicles. The collapse has raised concerns about the structural safety of several old bridges in the district, particularly during the ongoing construction and transportation activities in the region.
The bridge served as a crucial crossing point over the Satluj River and its collapse has affected connectivity between parts of Kinnaur and adjoining tribal areas. Commuters and transport operators have been forced to seek longer alternative routes.
District authorities rushed officials to the site to assess the damage and initiate restoration measures. Efforts are underway to arrange temporary connectivity and evaluate options for constructing a replacement bridge.
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Officials said a detailed inquiry would be conducted to ascertain the exact cause of the collapse and determine whether overloading of the truck contributed to the failure of the structure.
The incident once again highlights the vulnerability of aging infrastructure in the mountainous districts of Himachal Pradesh, where bridges and roads are frequently subjected to heavy vehicular traffic and challenging terrain conditions.
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