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Bridge Incident on Mandi-Pandoh Highway

A section of a cantilever slab from a bridge under construction on the Mandi-Pandoh four-lane highway in Himachal Pradesh collapsed late Wednesday night during the pouring of concrete. The incident took place near Sambhal, but officials have confirmed that the main structure of the bridge remains intact.

Details of the Construction Project

The bridge is part of the larger Kiratpur-Manali four-lane project. During the late-night operations, workers were adding 10-foot-wide cantilever slabs on either side of the bridge to create pedestrian pathways. However, a welding joint in the support system beneath one of the slabs reportedly failed, leading to the partial collapse.

Quality Concerns Surrounding KMC

The construction is being managed by KMC, a company that has faced criticism in the past for quality issues. This recent incident has reignited public worries regarding the standards of construction in the area. Local residents and commuters have expressed doubts about the reliability of the infrastructure being developed.

KMC Responds to the Incident

In response to the collapse, Vivekanand Jha, Senior Quality Head at KMC, stated that construction quality has not been compromised. He explained, 'The slab fell due to a failure in one of the shuttering support welds. The rest of the bridge is structurally sound, and we are already addressing the damage. All work is being conducted according to engineering standards.'

NHAI Orders Repairs and Confirms Safety

Varun Chari, Project Director for the Kiratpur-Manali Four-Lane Project, also confirmed the bridge's structural integrity. He noted, 'Only a small section of the structure was impacted. The main body of the bridge is completely safe. We have issued instructions for immediate repairs to the damaged area.' Despite the incident, officials assured that construction is on track and the bridge will be completed as scheduled.

Ongoing Concerns About Construction Quality

KMC is responsible for a significant portion of the four-lane highway from Nagchala to Pandoh. Over the years, numerous concerns have been raised regarding the quality and speed of construction for this project. A local resident remarked that the recent incident has once again highlighted the need for accountability and adherence to engineering standards.

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