A colonial-era Chakki railway bridge in Dhangu, Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh narrowly avoided disaster today as a retaining wall collapsed beneath a passenger train crossing the Chakki River on the critical Delhi–Jammu rail line. According to The Times of India, the structure, part of India’s aging rail infrastructure, suffered damage during heavy rains—prompting emergency repairs and renewed scrutiny of its safety. Fortunately, no derailment or injuries were reported, but officials have suspended traffic until stabilization is complete.
A History of Colonial-Era Failures
This latest incident echoes past vulnerabilities in India’s rail network. Notably, the nearly century-old Chakki bridge previously collapsed amid the catastrophic 2022 monsoon floods, disrupting train services on the Pathankot–Jogindernagar line. In 2001, an aging British-era railway bridge at Kadalundi in Kerala collapsed under the Mangalore–Chennai Mail, causing six coaches to derail into the river, killing nearly 60 passengers.
Worrying Pattern Amid Extreme Weather
The Himachal incident comes alongside escalating weather-related disasters in the region. Torrential rainfall triggered landslides that killed newlyweds and blocked hundreds of roads in Kullu and Mandi districts earlier today. The combination of intense monsoons and deteriorating infrastructure increases the risk of bridge failures—highlighting urgent need for structural resilience.
Broader National Concerns
Colonial-era infrastructure across India has passed its design lifespan, with recurring failures. For example, a suspension bridge near Morbi, Gujarat—originally built during British rule—collapsed in 2022, killing over 130 people. In Mizoram in 2023, a railway bridge under construction collapsed, killing 26 laborers. These tragedies underscore that the threat is national, spanning both old structures and new projects.
The Road Ahead: Safety First
- Immediate Action: Railways have halted trains on the Delhi–Jammu route and initiated urgent repairs on the Chakki bridge.
- Comprehensive Audits: Government must prioritize structural audits of all colonial-era rail bridges, particularly in flood-prone Himalayan zones.
- Climate Adaptation: Engineering revisions must accommodate shifting monsoon patterns and increased rainfall intensity due to climate change.
Long-Term Upgrades: Authorities should fast-track modernization, replacing vulnerable bridges and strengthening embankments and retaining walls.
Photo Credits: X/ @nabilajamal
