The high-level bridge over the Banai River on the Khunti-Simdega main road near Pelol village has collapsed, causing a complete disruption of traffic. This bridge is a crucial link connecting the capital city of Ranchi to Khunti, Simdega, and other states including Odisha and Chhattisgarh. It also serves as the easiest route to the Baba Amreshwar Dham. According to local residents, the bridge had been in a dilapidated state for several days, yet heavy vehicles continued to use it. Following heavy rains over the past two days, a portion of the bridge cracked on Thursday morning, leading to its sudden collapse. A truck got stuck in the middle during the incident, though no major accident occurred. Traffic is now completely blocked, with transportation being diverted through alternative routes. Locals claim that the bridge was constructed about ten to twelve years ago, with construction quality being neglected, leading to the collapse of the bridge which costed crores of rupees. They attribute the incident to the failure to carry out timely repairs. This route sees hundreds of vehicles daily, traveling from Khunti, Simdega, and surrounding villages. Commuters are now facing significant difficulties using the alternative routes. The bridge is a major link connecting Ranchi to Khunti, Simdega, and other states including Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
