Uttarakhand: Questions raised on Mussoorie-Dehradun Valley Bridge, will this bridge be able to bear the load of heavy vehicles?

The new valley bridge built near the Shiv temple on the main road connecting Mussoorie and Dehradun is under serious question these days. From the local people to the former public representatives, everyone’s eyes are fixed on the structure of this bridge and there is only one concern that this bridge might become the cause of some major accident.

This 40 meter span valley bridge has been built by tying it to an already existing valley bridge on the Mussoorie-Dehradun road. Although this work may seem complete, the structure of the middle part of the bridge raises many questions from a technical point of view.

Actually, support has been given with an iron girder over the drain in the middle of the bridge. This support is at a much higher height than the surface of the drain and the most important thing is that no solid foundation has been made under these girders. Apart from this, the girders installed appear very thin in proportion to the width and weight of the bridge. Anyone with a basic understanding of engineering would be uncomfortable looking at this structure. Thin girders standing without foundation, overhanging central part and heavy vehicles passing over it, this combination can turn into a tragedy any day.

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warning from local people

Former Municipal Chairman of Mussoorie Manmohan Singh Mall has said in direct and clear words on this issue that if by mistake two buses or trucks come together on the bridge, then no one can stop a major accident. In a tourist city like Mussoorie, a large number of buses, trucks and private vehicles pass on this route every day. This number increases manifold during the tourist season, so the questions being raised about the capacity of the bridge are not just speculations, but a sign of real danger.

PWD’s answer- ‘Passing the buck’ of responsibility

Giving clarification, Rajesh Kumar, Executive Engineer, Public Works Department, said that the iron girder support installed in the middle of the bridge was installed from the initial stage of construction itself, that is, it is not a later addition. He also said that the administration has already been informed that only one heavy vehicle can pass on this bridge at a time. It is the responsibility of the administration to implement this system. But this is where the real question begins, when the department itself admits that the bridge cannot bear the weight of two heavy vehicles simultaneously, then why was it opened for general traffic? And is it the responsibility of the department only to inform the administration?

Big question- Who will monitor?

It is not hidden from anyone how practically possible it is to stop every vehicle on a busy mountain road and check whether there is already a heavy vehicle on the bridge or not. Without traffic signals, without permanent barriers and without any technical monitoring, the safety of this bridge cannot be ensured by mere verbal instructions. Local residents demand that an immediate technical and structural audit of this bridge should be conducted. Weight limit plaques should be placed on the bridge and movement of heavy vehicles should be banned until complete safety is ensured.

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