The Chakki Bridge at NH-154 (Pathankot-Mandi NH) closed for vehicular movement till further order: DC Kangra Nipun Jindal

Dharamsala (Arvind Sharmsa) 9/7/23

DC Kangra Dr. Nipun Jindal, I.A.S has informed that Project Director, NHAI, Palampur vide his e-mail dated 09 July, 2023 considering the current situation of the Chakki Bridge at NH-154 (Pathankot-Mandi NH) has requested to close the Bridge for movement of both light passenger vehicle and heavy vehicles;

Therefore I Dr. Nipun Jindal, I.A.S., District Magistrate Kangra at Dharamshala in exercise of the powers vested in me Under Section 34 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 do hereby order that The Chakki Bridge at NH-154 shall remain closed for vehicular movement till further order in the interest of public safety

DC  in his orders said that  due to incessant rain in past few days the flow and the volume of Chakki Rivulet has increased to a great level damaging the pillars of the Chakki Bridge which has created risk of collapse of Chakki Bridge posing threat to the human lives;

The Chakki Bridge at NH-154 shall remain closed for vehicular movement till further order in the interest of public safety as well in order to avoid any untoward incident till further orders.

Vehicles engaged by NHAI or District Administration for maintaining the bridge shall only be permitted to ply over the Chakki Bridge. Compliance to this order shall be ensured by Superintendent of Police, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Nurpur, all concerned Officers/Officials of NH-154 Sub Division, Nurpur and public at large.

As such the traffic in this case shall be diverted  via alternate route Kandwal – Lodhwan- Pathankot link road to enter Punjab.

Last year too following the recommendations of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and  administrations of Kangra closed this  inter-state Chakki road bridge on Pathankot-Mandi National Highway (NH) 154 at Kandwal in Nurpur  on August 20  , as Chakki rivulet’s severe flash floods threatened the existence of pillar number 1 and 2 in the Punjab area. It was reopened in the second week of September last year after repairs.