Overloaded Truck Plunges into Sutlej River as Himachal Bridge Collapses

A major accident was narrowly avoided in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district on Tuesday after a 190-foot-long bailey bridge collapsed while a sand-laden truck was crossing it, sending the vehicle plunging into the Sutlej River. The driver, however, survived the incident and escaped with minor injuries. The collapse occurred near Urni Dhank between Reckong Peo and Tapri on National Highway 5, a crucial route connecting Kinnaur district with the remote Lahaul and Spiti region.

According to officials, the bridge gave way when a 10-tyre dumper truck loaded with sand was nearing the opposite end of the structure. Preliminary information suggests that the vehicle may have been carrying a load exceeding the bridge's permitted capacity. The sudden collapse caused the truck to fall into the river below, triggering an emergency response from local authorities and rescue teams.

Superintendent of Police Sushil Sharma said a police team led by the Tapri Station House Officer immediately rushed to the accident site after receiving information about the incident. Rescue personnel successfully evacuated the driver from the damaged vehicle and transported him to a nearby hospital. Authorities confirmed that he sustained only minor injuries and is reported to be in stable condition.

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The bridge served as an important alternative route in the Urni Dhank area, which is considered one of the most landslide-prone stretches in Himachal Pradesh. Frequent landslides, falling rocks and debris often disrupt traffic along National Highway 5, prompting authorities to construct the bailey bridge in 2016 to maintain connectivity. The route has since played a key role in ensuring uninterrupted transportation in the region.

Following the collapse, traffic movement was temporarily affected, causing inconvenience to commuters and transport operators. Officials quickly diverted vehicles through alternative routes, while the Kinnaur district administration directed National Highway authorities to initiate restoration work at the earliest. Authorities also confirmed that the original route has been reopened, ensuring that traffic on National Highway 5 has not been completely disrupted.

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Executive Engineer K.L. Suman stated that the bridge had a designated load capacity of 28 tonnes and had undergone maintenance and inspections, including repair work carried out earlier this month. He noted that the exact cause of the collapse will only be determined after a detailed technical investigation. A joint team comprising police officials and engineering experts has been tasked with examining the incident and preparing a comprehensive report.

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