Palampur: Cable bridge on Neugal river damaged

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, July 31

A steel cable suspension bridge constructed over the Neugal river at Bandla near Palampur, which was damaged due to heavy rain yesterday, has been closed to traffic movement as it is unsafe. The cables and structures of the bridge have come down.

The bridge is a major attraction for tourists and used by hundreds of pedestrians and morning walkers daily. It has been in a state of neglect for the past few years. Despite repeated requests of locals, the Public Works Department and the local authorities failed to repair it. Now, the administration has closed the bridge and even pedestrians are not allowed to cross it.

This bridge was constructed 40-year ago to connect around 24 villages in the Kandi and Sukeri areas, which earlier remained cut off from Palampur for months during the monsoon.

However, later with the efforts of former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar, a new bridge adjoining this one was constructed over the river. Since then, it has been in a state of neglect.

Earlier, the concrete part of the foundation pillars on the left side of the bridge was washed away during the monsoon last year but the state agencies did not bother to repair the pillars or construct a retaining wall to protect the bridge and its cables.

Thousands of tourists visit Palampur every year, and since the bridge is situated on the foothills of the Dhauladhars and is a scenic point, it is a major attraction for them. The bridge also connects with Saurabh Van Vihar, a major tourist destination.

Shanta Kumar said he would request the Chief Minister to repair the cables and damaged pillars of the bridge. He added that the bridge was a heritage monument of Palampur and should be protected at any cost.

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