Partial Collapse at Under-Construction Bridge on Mandi-Pandoh Four-Lane Stretch

No Major Damage Reported

Mandi, May 22, 2025 – A portion of an under-construction bridge near Sambhal on the Mandi-Pandoh four-lane highway collapsed late Wednesday night due to a shuttering support weld failure. The incident occurred while concrete was being poured for 10-foot pedestrian cantilevers on both sides of the bridge. Officials confirmed that the bridge’s foundation and main structure remain intact and safe.

KMC, the company executing the project, has faced repeated questions over construction quality. Company quality head Vivekanand Jha claimed no compromise has been made, adding that the damage was minor and being promptly repaired.

Varun Chari, Director of the Kiratpur-Manali Four-Lane Project, stated that the damage was limited to the cantilever section due to a single support failure, and instructions for immediate rectification have been issued. The overall project is progressing as scheduled.