ARUNODAY TIMES ,
Dehradun, August 2: The collapse of a portion of the approach road to the Nanda Ki Chowki Bridge over the Tons River on National Highway-72, just 16 days after its inauguration, has raised serious questions over construction quality, project execution, and institutional accountability. The bridge project, executed at an estimated cost of ₹16 crore, has become the subject of intense public debate.
Amid criticism over the tender process, the Public Works Department (PWD) has issued a detailed clarification, maintaining that the bidding process was transparent and conducted strictly in accordance with the Uttarakhand Procurement Rules, 2025. However, media reports suggesting that preliminary findings point to possible design deficiencies have sparked a larger debate over whether fixing responsibility solely on the design consultant would be sufficient.
Is the Design Alone Responsible?
Infrastructure experts note that the design of a bridge is only one component of a much larger project delivery process. Every bridge project involves multiple stages, including design review and approval, scrutiny of the Detailed Project Report (DPR), General Arrangement Drawings (GAD), construction drawings, geotechnical investigations, quality control, material testing, phased inspections, measurement book verification, certification of running and final bills, and issuance of completion certificates.
If the investigation ultimately establishes serious shortcomings in the design, questions will naturally arise over how the design was approved by the concerned government engineers and technical authorities. If the drawings and technical documents were properly examined, why were no objections raised? Conversely, if adequate scrutiny was not carried out, would that not indicate administrative negligence?
Construction Quality Also Under the Scanner
Should the investigation conclude that the bridge’s main structure, foundation, and abutments remain structurally sound while only the approach road has failed, experts say the inquiry must also examine whether deficiencies existed in earth filling, compaction, drainage arrangements, retaining structures, transition zones, execution methods, or overall quality control.
Similarly, investigators may need to verify whether mandatory tests—including Compaction Tests, Field Density Tests (FDT), Soil Investigation Reports, Quality Control Reports, Third-Party Inspection Reports, Site Order Books, and inspection records—were actually conducted in accordance with prescribed engineering standards.
If all quality checks were satisfactory, an obvious question remains: Why did the approach road fail within days of the bridge opening? If deficiencies existed during testing or inspection, on what basis were payments worth crores of rupees approved from the public exchequer?
Calls for a Comprehensive Accountability Review
Engineering professionals argue that the inquiry should not be confined solely to the design consultant. Instead, the entire decision-making chain should be examined objectively, including the roles of the DPR consultant, design consultant, construction contractor, supervision consultant, quality control unit, government engineers, inspecting officers, and authorities responsible for certifying and approving payments.
Ultimately, responsibility should be determined only on the basis of technical evidence and the final official investigation. If lapses are established in design, execution, supervision, quality control, or administrative decision-making, accountability should extend proportionately to all responsible stakeholders.
PWD Defends Tender Process
Responding to allegations circulating on social media, the Public Works Department reiterated that the procurement process for the bridge reconstruction fully complied with the Uttarakhand Procurement Rules, 2025.
According to the department, the first tender was issued on November 14, 2025, but had to be cancelled after only one bidder qualified during technical evaluation. A fresh e-tender was issued on January 3, 2026, and after the prescribed process, the work order was awarded on January 31, 2026.
PWD stated that the bridge was opened to traffic on July 12, 2026. However, on July 28, a section of the right-side approach road was damaged due to soil slippage. The department said the matter is currently under investigation by the Chief Engineer, Regional Office, Dehradun, and that any conclusions or action will depend on the final inquiry report.
Public Focused on Accountability
The controversy has now moved beyond questions of design alone. It has evolved into a broader issue concerning the use of public funds, engineering standards, construction quality, and administrative accountability.
While the final findings are awaited, public expectation remains that the investigation should be comprehensive and impartial. If lapses are established at any stage of the project, action should be taken against all responsible parties, ensuring transparency, accountability, and greater confidence in the execution of future public infrastructure projects.
