Mandi-Pandoh Four-Lane Project: Under-Construction Bridge Cantilever Collapses During Concrete Work, Quality Concerns Resurface

Mandi, May 22:
A portion of an under-construction bridge on the Mandi-Pandoh four-lane highway collapsed late Wednesday night while concrete was being poured. The incident occurred near Sambal. Fortunately, the main structure and foundation of the bridge remain intact and unharmed.

According to sources, concrete work was underway when the cantilevered sections being constructed as 10-foot-wide footpaths on either side of the bridge experienced a failure. The shuttering beneath one of the cantilevers gave way due to a weld failure, causing part of the structure to collapse. No damage has been reported to the bridge’s core structure.

Persistent Questions Over Construction Quality by KMC

This incident has once again raised concerns about the quality of construction by KMC, the company responsible for building the four-lane stretch from Nagchala to Pandoh. Locals and observers have repeatedly questioned the integrity and workmanship of the company’s projects, and this latest failure has reignited public scrutiny.

KMC Responds: “No Compromise on Quality”

Vivekanand Jha, Senior Quality Head at KMC, addressed the concerns, stating that there has been no compromise on construction standards. He attributed the damage to a single weld failure in the shuttering support and assured that the issue is being rectified immediately. He reiterated that the rest of the bridge is structurally sound and all work is being carried out in accordance with the required specifications.

“The Bridge Is Structurally Safe”: Project Director

Varun Chari, Project Director for the Kiratpur-Manali Four-Lane Project, confirmed that the bridge is completely safe. He described the incident as a minor technical issue resulting from a broken weld support and stated that instructions have already been issued for immediate repair. The bridge construction is ongoing and remains on track for timely completion.

While officials insist the bridge is secure, the incident has drawn renewed attention to the importance of stringent quality control, especially in infrastructure projects of such scale and public importance.