Truss Bridge Collapses on Shimla-Mataur Corridor in Hamirpur
An under-construction truss bridge on the Shimla-Mataur corridor collapsed in Himachal Pradesh, injuring several workers during a launching operation.
A major accident occurred in Himachal Pradesh's Hamirpur district when an under-construction truss bridge on the Shimla-Mataur corridor collapsed. The incident took place over the Hathli Khad near Masiyana, sending shockwaves through the local construction site and leaving several workers injured.
The Moment of Collapse
The disaster unfolded around 2:00 PM while workers were engaged in a critical phase of the Hamirpur Bypass (NH-103) project. According to local officials, the crew was attempting to maneuver a massive steel span forward using a crane. At the precise moment the structure was being moved, the bridge gave way, resulting in a sudden and violent collapse.
Naib Tehsildar Jagdish Chand provided details regarding the workers on-site, noting that out of the eight individuals involved in the operation, two sustained serious injuries. These workers were immediately rushed to the Hamirpur Medical College for urgent treatment. Emergency teams and local administration have been deployed to the site, where efforts are ongoing to reach and extricate the remaining five workers trapped in the debris.
NHAI Explains Mechanical Failure
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which is overseeing the construction of the four-lane corridor, issued a statement regarding the technical cause of the accident. The agency clarified that they were utilizing the incremental launching (pushing) method to install a 90-metre-long truss bridge.
The sequence of events, as described by NHAI, was as follows:
- The team was in the middle of the launching process.
- As the launching nose was being positioned over the pier cap, a sudden mechanical failure occurred.
- This failure triggered the collapse of the entire truss structure.
While the truss structure fell into the gorge, NHAI confirmed that the bridge piers themselves remained undamaged. The authority also noted that three individuals sustained injuries during the mishap and were promptly shifted to the nearest hospital in Hamirpur for medical assistance.
Rescue and Relief Operations Underway
As of now, the site remains a scene of intense activity. Rescue teams are working against time to clear the site and ensure all personnel are accounted for. While the immediate priority is the safety of the workers, investigations into the exact nature of the mechanical failure that led to the collapse are expected to follow once the site is secured.