Narrow bridges on NH pose threat

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, March 2

In the absence of four-laning of the Pathankot-Mandi highway, over 15 small and major bridges have become mishap-prone. Several fatal accidents have taken place in the past six months. The NHAI is yet to repair or reconstruct these bridges.

Traffic jams are common here as the bridges are single lane. These bridges were built during the British rule. The traffic has increased manifold as thousands of vehicles from Mandi, Kulu, Manali, Leh and Shimla ply on this road.

Earlier, it was expected that the highway would be four-laned before 2023 and bridges would also be replaced. But the state government has failed to acquire land. Now, there appears no plan to widen or reconstruct the bridges. All of them have outlived their lives. The foundations of many bridges have been damaged in the recent floods.

A single bridge having a narrow curve near Mattor (Kangra) and Kalu Di Hatti, opposite to a petrol pump on the highway, has become a major mishap point.Recently two persons lost their lives when their car rolled down the gorge.

Since the highway falls under the NHAI’s medium priority, the project is likely to be delayed by years as the state government has already discontinued the land acquisition process. Some say the project might be placed on the back burner.

Traffic woes

• These bridges were built during the British rule. Thousands of vehicles from Mandi, Kulu, Manali, Leh and Shimla ply on this road.
• Earlier, it was expected that the highway would be four-laned before 2023 and bridges would be replaced.
• The government has failed to acquire land. There appears no plan to widen or reconstruct the bridges.

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