Highway partially restored, but experts warn of deeper structural failures
Munish Sood
Mandi/Kullu: Months after Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari slammed faulty detailed project reports (DPRs) for repeated infrastructure damage in Himachal Pradesh, a pillar of the Dwada flyover on the Chandigarh-Manali national highway (NH-3) has collapsed, triggering panic and traffic disruption on the already fragile Kiratpur-Manali four-lane route.
The incident occurred around 3 pm on September 10 when one of the flyover’s pillars gave way, causing the superstructure and girder to sink. The collapse led to the complete shutdown of vehicular movement on the vital Mandi-Kullu stretch for nearly two hours, leaving hundreds of commuters stranded.
Highway temporarily restored, but risk looms
Following the structural failure, teams from the NHAI and local police reached the site to assess the damage. As a precautionary measure, authorities suspended traffic movement entirely from 9 pm to 6 am. Emergency measures were undertaken overnight, and two steel pillars were installed to temporarily reinforce the weakened structure.
By Wednesday morning, partial vehicular movement was restored under strict police monitoring. However, experts on-site have warned that the current solution is only temporary and a complete reconstruction or permanent repair is urgently required. Commuters are being allowed to pass slowly under supervision, but locals and daily commuters remain on edge.
“This flyover is hanging by a thread. The fear is real, especially during rains. One more incident, and it could be catastrophic,” said a local resident.
Gadkari’s viral criticism of faulty planning echoes loudly
The flyover collapse comes as an eerie validation of Minister Nitin Gadkari’s recent criticism of the highway’s planning and execution. Speaking at a public event, a video of which has now gone viral, Gadkari had lashed out at project consultants and government departments for preparing “drawing-room DPRs” that ignored the ground realities of Himachal’s challenging terrain.
“Who in their right mind approves a four-lane highway along the Beas river?” Gadkari had asked, calling the planning process deeply flawed. “After preparing faulty DPRs, tenders are tailor-made for select companies — with little to no field surveys or geotechnical studies,” he said.
The minister didn’t hold back in his assessment, saying, “I apologise for using the word ‘culprits’, but accountability has to begin somewhere.”
Ministry to penalise faulty DPR consultants
Gadkari also revealed that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is now rating consultants based on the quality of DPRs. “Those who prepare substandard reports will be penalised. This culture of careless planning has to stop,” he stated.
He acknowledged the life-threatening impact of such failures, especially during natural disasters. “When roads collapse or bridges fall during calamities, evacuation becomes a nightmare. Mountains are coming down, and the infrastructure cannot withstand the stress because it was never designed to,” Gadkari warned.
Broader infrastructure crisis in Himachal
The flyover collapse is just the latest in a series of infrastructure breakdowns across Himachal Pradesh during one of the worst monsoon seasons in decades. So far, the state has reported Rs 4,306 crore in damages, 380 deaths and thousands of structures damaged due to landslides, flash floods and cloudbursts.
Despite spending over Rs 3,000 crore on the four-lane highway, several stretches have been repeatedly washed away, raising serious questions about long-term safety and engineering standards.
