Ageing bridges on highway spark safety concerns

Over a dozen small and major bridges on the Pathankot-Mandi National Highway have turned into virtual death traps, with dozens of accidents reported over the past two years. Many of these structures, built more than 110 years ago during the British era, are now on the verge of collapse and lack side railings, posing a grave threat to motorists.

Despite a manifold increase in vehicular traffic, no steps have been taken to replace or strengthen these ageing bridges, which could give way at any time. The highway, one of the busiest in northern Himachal Pradesh, is used by thousands of vehicles daily.

Earlier maintained by the Public Works Department, the highway is now under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). However, officials admit that no replacement plan is currently in place since the NHAI has realigned the new four-lane section, bypassing the old route. The foundations of several old bridges were also damaged during recent floods, further weakening their structure.

Residents had hoped the construction of the four-lane highway would include new bridges, but with the revised alignment bypassing towns such as Palampur, Maranda, Baijnath, Paprola and Jogindernagar, the 65-km stretch between Paror and Padhar has been excluded from the new plan — dashing hopes of any bridge replacement.

Particularly hazardous are two narrow bridges near Kalu Di Hatti, opposite a petrol pump, where sharp curves and the absence of crash barriers have made the stretch an accident hotspot. Several two-wheelers and light vehicles have plunged into deep gorges here, claiming at least six lives so far.

The NHAI’s current focus remains on completing the 65-km four-lane segment between Paror and Padhar, avoiding congested areas and the narrow, crumbling stretches of the old highway.