Lives at Risk in Seraj as Temporary Road Replaces Collapsed Bridge

Mandi, Himachal Pradesh — Months after the devastating monsoon disaster in Mandi district, the scars of destruction continue to haunt residents. With basic infrastructure in ruins, people in the Seraj Assembly constituency are still forced to risk their lives for daily needs.

A near-tragic accident on Sunday underscored the crisis still unfolding in the region. The Bakhlī Khad bridge, destroyed during the monsoon floods, has yet to be rebuilt — cutting off several villages for months. As the water level receded, locals constructed a temporary earthen road across the stream to restore limited movement of vehicles.

However, the improvised route turned dangerous when a taxi (HP 01-M 4789) carrying eight passengers overturned midstream while attempting to cross under the collapsed bridge. Thankfully, all eight escaped unhurt.

Eyewitnesses said the vehicle tilted to one side before slowly submerging. Hearing the passengers’ screams, nearby residents rushed to the spot and pulled everyone out from the partially submerged vehicle.

Local reports suggest that the newly built access route below the Pandoh Dam catchment area had become unsafe after the water level rose again. Despite warnings, heavy vehicles like buses and tippers continued to use it. The road had been laid jointly by local villagers and the Mata Baglamukhi Temple Committee, assuming that the Pandoh reservoir’s water level would stay low between November and March.

Public Works Department (PWD) Executive Engineer Vinod Kumar expressed concern over the incident but clarified that the temporary road was locally built and outside the department’s jurisdiction. “The department cannot be held responsible for such accidents,” he said.

He added that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) worth ₹30 crore for rebuilding the Bakhlī bridge has been submitted to the state government for funding approval. “Construction will begin as soon as funds are sanctioned,” he confirmed.

Nearly 100 days after the monsoon calamity, the Pandoh–Sarachi route via Bakhlī bridge to Kuklah remains severely damaged. Frequent landslides have hindered debris-clearing efforts, with nearby hills showing signs of subsidence — putting around 18 to 20 homes at risk. Residents have opposed debris removal due to safety concerns, relying instead on the self-built makeshift route that had been operational for just five days before the accident.

According to BBMB sources, extra water was released into the Beas River due to a technical fault in the Dehar Power House turbines, which further flooded the Bakhlī section.

The accident once again highlights the dire conditions faced by disaster-hit residents of Mandi district and the urgent need for authorities to restore safe, permanent road connectivity before another tragedy strikes.

Ground Reality (Key Facts):

• The Bakhlī Khad bridge, destroyed in monsoon floods, remains unreconstructed.
• Locals built a makeshift road through the Pandoh reservoir bed to reconnect villages.
• A taxi carrying eight passengers overturned while crossing the unsafe route — all survived.
• The PWD stated the temporary road was locally built and outside its jurisdiction.
• A ₹30 crore bridge reconstruction proposal is awaiting government approval.