Amritsar, December 6 – Padam Bhandari Bridge, the vision of an erstwhile Executive Officer of the Municipal Committee Padam Chand Bhandari, connecting Walled city with the Civil Lines, has collapsed.
A truck loaded with sand fell off the Bhandari Bridge and landed on the rail track early this morning, damaging power lines and disrupting rail traffic to and from Amritsar. As many 14 trains were reportedly delayed.
The accident occurred at 6 am after the departure of Amritsar-New Delhi Shatabdi. The truck fell off the bridge as the driver took the vehicle to a narrow stretch meant for two-wheelers and autos. Subsequently, the departure of Amritsar-Saharsa, Amritsar-Delhi, Amritsar-Brownie, Amritsar-Jalpaiguri, Amritsar-Bandra, Amritsar-Dadar, Amritsar-Jainagar, Amritsar-Pathankot and other trains was delayed.
The arrival of Tata Moori, Chattisgarh Express, Delhi-Amritsar Shatabdi and Chandigarh-Amritsar Inter-City Express was also delayed. Traffic on these lines was restored for a few hours after 2 pm. Work to restore normal traffic was underway till the filing of this report.
Hundreds of commuters were seen stranded at the railway station. The error by the truck driver is bound to cost the state dear.