Kullu, Himachal Pradesh:
A serious infrastructure failure occurred late Friday night in Himachal Pradesh’s Banjar Valley, where a 55-year-old bridge on National Highway 305 collapsed, leading to a tanker truck plunging into the river below. The accident has completely disrupted vehicular movement between Aut, Ani, Luhri, and Rampur, as this highway serves as a vital road link for both locals and tourists.
Collapse During the Night
- The bridge near Manglour village broke apart as a tanker was passing over it.
- Locals rushed to the scene and managed to pull the truck driver from the river in time.
- The injured driver was sent to a nearby hospital for treatment. His identity has not yet been confirmed.
According to initial reports, the collapsed structure was constructed around 1970, making it over five decades old. Officials suspect that structural fatigue and aging led to its sudden failure. The matter has raised questions about the condition of other such aging bridges across the region.
Highway Blocked, Tourists Stranded
- The collapse has completely blocked NH-305, which:
- Connects Kullu to Ani and Rampur via Jibhi and Tirthan Valleys.
- Serves as a scenic and important tourist route, especially during the spring and summer seasons.
- With the bridge down, traffic from Aut and Mandi is no longer moving.
- A large number of tourists are now stranded in Jibhi and Tirthan Valley with limited immediate options to exit the region.
Though travelers can still reach Chandigarh and Delhi via Shimla, it requires a significantly longer detour.
The disruption comes shortly after the highway had reopened for summer travel following the snow season at Jalori Pass, making this incident all the more problematic for the local tourism industry.
Administrative Response and Action Plan
Banjar MLA Surender Shourie confirmed the complete disruption on both sides of the highway at the Manglour bridge site, and issued an appeal:
“All travelers using NH-305 are advised to reschedule their plans and use alternate routes. Instructions have been issued to highway and district officials to prepare a temporary road, but this will take time.”
Minister Vikramaditya Singh’s Statement
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Vikramaditya Singh acknowledged the incident and provided key updates:
- He confirmed that the bridge on the Sainj-Aut-Luhri stretch of NH-305 has been damaged.
- The minister pointed out that the structure, built in the 1970s, was due for a replacement.
- After discussions with PWD officials on Saturday morning, Singh announced that a Bailey bridge will be installed at the site on priority to restore connectivity.
- He also stated that he would personally visit the collapse site in Kullu to inspect the situation.
“We are working to restore traffic flow from Kullu as quickly as possible. A Bailey bridge will be installed without delay,” he said.
The collapse of the bridge on NH-305 has once again highlighted the urgent need to assess aging infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh. While swift action is being promised, the road disruption is expected to continue for several days, affecting both residents and tourists in the region.
Enoxx News will continue to monitor developments and provide updates on traffic restoration efforts and the safety measures being taken at the site.
