Munish Sood
MANDI: A major safety scare unfolded on the Kiratpur-Manali four-lane national highway when a pillar of the Dwada flyover collapsed. Around 3 pm, one of the supporting columns gave way, causing a section of the flyover deck and girder to sink dangerously. The collapse brought traffic on the busy Mandi-Kullu national highway to a complete halt for nearly two hours.
Police teams and officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) rushed to the site and cordoned off the stretch. In view of the risk, the authorities ordered a full traffic closure on the affected portion of the highway from 9 pm until 6 am to ensure commuter safety.
By the morning of September 11, NHAI engineers installed two temporary iron pillars alongside the damaged section to provide provisional support. Traffic movement was subsequently restored under strict police monitoring, with vehicles being allowed to pass cautiously. Experts, however, have warned that this is only a temporary arrangement and the flyover urgently requires permanent repair or reconstruction.
History of trouble at Dwara flyover
The latest collapse is not the first time the Dwada Flyover has faced major setbacks. Just three months ago, a massive landslide struck the flyover, leaving deep cracks and severely damaging the structure. At the time, authorities were forced to permanently close the flyover for all types of traffic, diverting vehicles to the road running underneath it.
Weeks later, another round of heavy rainfall triggered fresh slides, with large boulders crashing into the same section of the flyover. The impact led to a complete closure of the highway for several days, adding to public inconvenience and highlighting the fragile state of the infrastructure.
After months of repair work, traffic was cautiously restarted on the flyover only recently. However, the sudden pillar collapse on September 10 has reignited fears, proving that the earlier damage had not been fully resolved and that deeper structural weaknesses persist.
Fear among locals and commuters
The incident has left both local residents and daily commuters shaken. Many say they now cross the flyover with constant fear for their safety. Villagers and travellers alike have demanded immediate and lasting repairs to prevent a potential tragedy.
“Every time we drive over it, we fear for our lives. Authorities must act before it’s too late,” said a commuter who uses the route daily.
The Dwara flyover collapse is only the latest in a series of mishaps on the Kiratpur-Manali four-lane highway, a project touted as a lifeline for Himachal Pradesh:
• In 2023, heavy rains triggered landslides between Mandi and Takoli, damaging nearly 20 km of road and delaying the project’s completion by more than two years.
• In 2024, the Sundernagar bypass — built at a cost of nearly Rs 90 crore — developed major cracks and began sinking after the monsoon, forcing traffic restrictions.
• Earlier this year, land subsidence near Diyod in Mandi narrowed the highway and compelled authorities to regulate vehicular movement for weeks.
• Several newly built retaining walls and protective slopes have also collapsed during past monsoons, raising serious questions about construction quality and safety standards.
Experts stress that a comprehensive structural audit and geotechnical review are now unavoidable to safeguard the project. Stronger foundations, effective drainage systems and strict quality monitoring are seen as essential if the highway is to withstand the region’s tough weather and terrain.
Local voices, meanwhile, are demanding accountability. “The project has consumed thousands of crores, yet every year we see cracks, collapses, and diversions. People’s lives are at stake,” said a resident of the Dwada area.
When contacted for comment, Varun Chari, Project Head of NHAI (Kiratpur-Manali four-lane), could not be reached despite repeated attempts on his mobile number.
