Dehradun, July 28: A newly built bridge near Nanda Chowki over the Tons River in Dehradun has suffered significant damage due to heavy rainfall overnight. The bridge, which cost ₹16 crore, was inaugurated just days ago. Following the incident, Congress leaders, led by Sangram Singh Pundir, staged protests, questioning the quality of construction and the government’s approach.
The approach road to the bridge has developed a large pothole due to continuous rain, disrupting vehicle movement. Locals are raising concerns about whether the structure was adequately designed to withstand the heavy monsoon rains and floods that occur annually in Uttarakhand.
In response to the damage, Dehradun District Magistrate Ashish Chauhan clarified that the main structure of the bridge remains intact. He stated that repair work on the damaged approach road has already commenced.
Chauhan mentioned, “Our control room has been active for 24 hours, and additional teams have been deployed immediately. The bridge is completely safe. The road leading to the bridge has been damaged, and repair work is underway. All chief engineers and officials are on-site monitoring the repairs.”
Meanwhile, the Congress party protested the damage to the bridge. Party leader Sangram Singh Pundir questioned the “serious negligence” in completing the project and demanded accountability from the government.
Pundir expressed disbelief that a newly inaugurated bridge could sustain such damage within days. He stated, “This bridge was just completed, yet it has been damaged in only 16 days. This is a major oversight. While the District Magistrate claims it’s a minor issue, the reality is that vehicle movement has come to a complete halt. Previously, ministers would resign after such incidents, but that is no longer the case.”
He called for an investigation into the construction of the project, alleging that this incident raises serious questions about the quality of the work.
“The infrastructure meant for public convenience has turned into rubble. We are raising this issue firmly and demand a CBI inquiry into how the newly built bridge could be damaged so quickly. It is alarming that a ₹16 crore bridge has been compromised in just 16 days, raising serious doubts about the government and construction agencies’ operations,” he added.
Pundir also accused local legislators of failing to take appropriate action. He targeted Uttarakhand Public Works Minister Satpal Maharaj, demanding answers regarding the project and the contractor responsible for the construction.
“This bridge falls within our assembly constituency. The condition of the five bridges over the Tons River has been poor for nearly 20 years. An investigation should be conducted into the deficiencies. The damage to the bridge in just 15-16 days demands strict action against the contractor. We will protest against the contractor,” he stated.
Local residents have also questioned the administration’s claims. One resident remarked, “It has only been 16 days since the bridge was constructed, and such a significant incident has occurred. The District Magistrate’s statement that only a small edge is damaged is unfortunate, as traffic has completely stopped. Both local legislators and the Public Works Minister should take responsibility.”
Another local resident added, “This bridge, costing around ₹16 crore, has been damaged in just 16 days, which is concerning. This raises questions for both the government and the executing agency. Minister Satpal Maharaj should clarify which agency was awarded the contract and why quality was not maintained.”
They further stated, “This is our area. I have previously mentioned that the other five bridges over the Tons River have been safe for nearly 20 years. What went wrong with this bridge that it was damaged in just 15-16 days? Strict action should be taken against the executing agency and the contractor. If not, the local populace will be compelled to protest.”
Leave a Comment