Truss Bridge Collapse in Himachal Pradesh Injures Three Workers

Bridge Construction Accident in Hamirpur

Munish Sood
HAMIRPUR
A significant incident took place on Friday in Himachal Pradesh's Hamirpur district, where a section of a 90-meter-long truss bridge collapsed during its construction, resulting in injuries to three individuals.

The accident occurred at Massiyana along the Hamirpur Bypass (NH-103), part of the Shimla-Mataur corridor. The bridge was being installed using a pushing technique when the launching nose, positioned over the pier cap, unexpectedly gave way, leading to the truss's fall.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) reported that the collapse was due to a mechanical malfunction during the launch. They assured that the bridge piers remained undamaged.

Three individuals were injured and were promptly transported to a nearby hospital in Hamirpur for treatment. Rescue operations commenced immediately following the incident.

The collapse caused alarm among workers and local residents, who rushed to help with the rescue efforts. Officials from the police, district administration, and NHAI arrived to oversee the evacuation and relief operations.

Initial reports suggested that multiple workers might have been trapped under the debris, leading to a comprehensive rescue operation utilizing heavy machinery. However, NHAI later confirmed that only three individuals were injured.

This bridge is part of the ongoing four-laning project on the Shimla-Mataur corridor. The incident occurred while the large steel truss was being maneuvered into place, highlighting the importance of technical assessments during such operations.

NHAI has stated that they are investigating the circumstances surrounding the mechanical failure. A thorough technical inquiry is anticipated to determine the exact cause of the collapse and evaluate the safety of the launching system employed.

This incident has once again raised concerns regarding safety measures and engineering protocols in the construction of large steel structures on major highway projects.