Mandi: Damaged Footbridge Forces Villagers to Risk Lives Crossing the Stream on Broken Structure

Mandi, July 24:
In Bakhli village near the Pandoh Dam, a decades-old wooden footbridge over the Kuklah stream was severely damaged during heavy rainfall on the night of June 30. Along with this footbridge, the main vehicular bridge downstream was also washed away. These two bridges were crucial in connecting more than 15 surrounding panchayats, and their collapse has left the area completely cut off.

With both bridges destroyed, the only means of crossing now left for residents is a makeshift ropeway—but even that is proving to be an inconvenient and unsafe option. To reach the village visible just across the stream, people now have to travel a roundabout 7 to 8 km via the ropeway, which is both time-consuming and physically demanding.

Devendra Rana, deputy head of the Saroa Gram Panchayat, said the community has repeatedly appealed to the government and district administration to construct a new bridge at the earliest to restore connectivity between neighboring villages.

Local residents Krishan Thakur, Dhamneshwar Das, and Puran Chand shared their plight, saying they are forced to risk their lives by crossing the stream on the damaged bridge, as they have no alternative. They urged the authorities to construct a durable bridge that would also allow the passage of small vehicles. While the old bridge was once open to light traffic, it had been restricted to pedestrian use before the damage.

Residents also alleged that whenever they raise the demand for repairs, both the BBMB (Bhakra Beas Management Board) and the Public Works Department (PWD) deflect responsibility, with neither agency willing to take charge of the bridge’s upkeep. Local resident Tara Chand demanded that the administration clearly define the responsibilities between BBMB and PWD, so repair and reconstruction work can proceed without delay.

BBMB Requests Estimate from PWD

BBMB Executive Engineer Chandramani Sharma stated that they have requested a repair estimate from the Mechanical Wing of the PWD. Once the estimate is submitted to the BBMB headquarters, the proposal will be reviewed and, upon approval, work will begin.

Until then, villagers continue to navigate perilous conditions, highlighting the urgent need for immediate administrative intervention and infrastructure support.