Bridge Collapse on NH5 in Kinnaur Leaves One Injured, Traffic Halted
A Bailey bridge spanning the Sutlej River on National Highway 5 in the Tapri area of Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district collapsed on June 23, 2026, along with a dumper that was crossing it. The incident resulted in minor injuries to the dumper driver and caused a complete disruption of traffic on the vital highway, stranding commuters.
The collapse occurred near Urni Dhank around midday. The driver was rescued by a police team from Tapri station, led by the Station House Officer, and rushed to a nearby medical facility for treatment.
Authorities Respond and Divert Traffic
Kinnaur Deputy Commissioner Dr. Amit Sharma and Superintendent of Police Sushil Kumar Sharma visited the site to assess the damage and coordinate relief efforts. The SP confirmed that traffic has been diverted through alternate routes to ease congestion. The DC instructed National Highway authorities to restore the bridge at the earliest.
The Bailey bridge, a temporary structure, gave way under the weight of the loaded dumper. No other vehicles were on the bridge at the time, preventing further casualties. The cause of the collapse is under investigation, with officials suspecting structural fatigue or overload.
Impact on Commuters and Road Safety Concerns
The disruption on NH5, a key artery connecting Kinnaur to the rest of Himachal, has caused significant inconvenience. Local residents and transport operators have urged authorities to expedite repairs and ensure stricter load limits on temporary bridges. The incident highlights ongoing road safety challenges in the mountainous region, where infrastructure often faces extreme weather and heavy traffic.
According to the police, the driver sustained only minor injuries and is stable. The damaged dumper has been removed from the riverbed, and work on the bridge is expected to begin shortly. Authorities have not yet announced a timeline for full restoration.
