BRO bridge collapse: Probe zeroes in on design fault

The Deepak Project headquarters at Shimla have now approached the state’s public works department to get data on similar ‘single span curved bridges’ in other parts of the state for a comparative study of the designs.

The bridge was classified as ‘Road Class 7’ with a load-bearing capacity of 70 tonnes. The load of the trucks parked on the bridge was also assessed as almost equal; but the bridge collapsed,killing two persons and injuring two.

The bridge is on the strategic all-weather Shimla-Basantpur-Kingal-Rampur-Kinanur Road that connects the state with the Indo-Tibetan border in Kinnaur district.

“I cannot comment on the possible causes of the collapse,as our internal inquiry is yet to study all the aspects in detail. The top platform-road surface area of the bridge has toppled and tilted to one side due to concentration of weight on the outer side of the bridge’s curve and there is no damage to the sub-structure (support structure pillars) or cracks on the surface. Many aspects,including design,are to be studied in detail,” said Director,Bridging and Tunnels,A K Dikshit (Superintending Engineer,Civil,at BRO DG office in New Delhi).

Dikshit left for Delhi on Wednesday after visiting the site.

The 45-metre long and 12-metre wide (including the footpath) bridge was constructed with an approximate cost of Rs 1.85 crore. After successful trials,the bridge was commissioned in October 2010. “The bridge will certainly require reconstruction after required approvals,” said I R Mathur,Chief Engineer,Deepak Project (Headquarters).