Fate of Dehra Gopipur bridge hangs in balance

A strategically crucial bridge over the Beas at Dehra Gopipur in Kangra district is crying for immediate government attention. Built in 1962 by the Punjab Government—when Kangra was still a part of Punjab—the bridge now stands frail and overburdened, connecting Kangra, Chamba and parts of Mandi with Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana and Delhi.

Currently under the jurisdiction of the National Highway wing of Himachal Pradesh’s Public Works Department (PWD), the bridge has long outlived its intended life span. Originally designed to handle vehicles carrying 5 to 10 tonnes, the bridge is now subjected daily to the weight of heavy trucks and tippers hauling 20 to 30 tonnes, raising the alarm for a potential disaster.

Despite the heavy vehicular pressure and repeated concerns, authorities appear largely indifferent. No replacement plan is currently in place, and there has been no movement towards construction of a new bridge—despite past media coverage and public outcry.

Serving as a vital gateway to neighbouring states and the national capital, the bridge facilitates access to key tourist and religious destinations such as Dharamsala, Palampur, Baijnath, Bir Billing and revered shrines, including Jwalamukhi, Baglamukhi, Brajeshwari, and Chamunda Devi temples. Thousands of pilgrims and tourists traverse this route daily.

Due to its narrow width, the bridge has become a hotspot for mishaps. The 8-foot-high steel railing on either side is in dire need of repair, adding to the safety concerns. Despite being located in the Assembly constituency of Kamlesh Thakur, the wife of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, no substantive efforts have been made over the past two decades to address the issue—highlighting a lack of political will and bureaucratic inertia.

However, there may be a flicker of hope on the horizon. A senior official from the PWD revealed to The Tribune that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has completed the preliminary survey for the upgradation of the Ranital-Mubarakpur stretch into a four-lane highway. A consultant will soon be appointed to prepare a detailed project report, following which global tenders will be invited for the construction of the highway and a new bridge over the Beas at Dehra Gopipur.

Himachal Tribune