3 days ago
Rs 3.5 crore bridge collapses in less than 6 years, residents question quality
Bageshwar: A suspension bridge built in 2019 at a cost of Rs 3.5 crore to connect Kalapair Kapdi, Bageshwar district's most remote village, to Bhainskhal in Pithoragarh district has become dysfunctional in less than six years, raising concerns about construction quality, maintenance, and potential irregularities.
A section on the Bageshwar side was damaged during last year's monsoon when the Ramganga River swelled in Aug. Since then, no repair work has been carried out, leaving the bridge unused for nearly a year.
The bridge was a crucial lifeline for around 35 families who rely on it to access markets and amenities in Nachni. With the bridge out of service, residents must now travel an extra kilometre or resort to using a manual trolley to cross the river at the risk of their safety.
Residents say their initial optimism after the bridge's 2019 inauguration has turned to frustration. "It didn't even last six years. This clearly points to poor-quality construction," said Deepak Koranga, a local.
Local activist Harish Aithani criticised the Public Works Department (PWD) for its delayed response. "The PWD ignored the bridge for an entire year. It was only after protests that they floated a tender, not to begin repairs, but just to store Rs 50 lakh worth of bridge equipment safely," he said.
Aithani also flagged "questionable" spending on logistics. "They're storing the equipment 37km away, spending Rs 5 lakh on transport. When repairs begin, they'll need another Rs 5 lakh to bring it back. That's Rs 10 lakh wasted on moving materials without any actual work," he added.
Acknowledging the issue, PWD Kapkot Executive Engineer Amit Patel said experts from Pantnagar University have assessed the site and that there are plans to secure materials before the next monsoon. "We have issued a tender for the safe removal of remaining components. The bridge was damaged during last year's monsoon, and we're awaiting the final investigation report," he said.
