A 90-metre under-construction truss bridge collapsed during a launching operation near Masiana in Himachal Pradesh’s Hamirpur district on October 2, 2026. Reports agree that one worker died, but they differ on the deceased’s identity and the number of people injured. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) gave mechanical failure as its preliminary explanation; no final technical cause had been reported in the coverage reviewed.
Where and how the bridge collapsed
The bridge was on the Hamirpur bypass section of the Shimla–Mataur corridor (NH-103), crossing the Hathli, also reported as Hatheli, Khad near Masiana. The Tribune described the project as part of a 17-kilometre Kohali village–Cheel Bahal stretch of the highway.
NHAI officials said the 90-metre truss was being advanced using the pushing method. Hindustan Times reported the authority’s account that the launching nose was positioned over a pier cap when it collapsed, bringing down the truss. NHAI officials, as quoted by Hindustan Times, said: “During the process, when the launching nose was positioned over the pier cap, it suddenly collapsed due to a mechanical failure, resulting in the truss structure falling. There has been no damage to the bridge piers.” This is a reported preliminary explanation, not a final engineering finding.
What is known about deaths and injuries
Reports consistently say one worker died. They do not agree on the deceased’s identity: Hindustan Times named Ajay, a 45-year-old Jammu resident and labour contractor, while The Tribune named Pawan Kumar. The available reports do not resolve the discrepancy, so the identity should be treated as unconfirmed.
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The reported injury toll also varies. Hindustan Times reported one injured worker and five other labourers rescued safely from a deep gorge. The Tribune reported four injured, including two seriously, while an early ANI-sourced report said three were injured. These accounts may reflect updates at different times, but the reviewed coverage does not establish a reconciled final count. For details, see Hindustan Times, The Tribune and the ANI-sourced report.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What investigators have—and have not—established
The Tribune reported that police registered a case and began an investigation. It also reported that NHAI called a team of experts from Delhi to examine the cause. No findings from either inquiry were included in the available reports.
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NHAI’s reported statement that the piers were not damaged is limited to those supports. It does not establish the condition of the collapsed truss, the launching nose or other equipment, and it does not identify which component failed. The specific failure mechanism and root cause remain unknown in the reporting cited here. Do not treat “mechanical failure” as proof of a design defect, negligence or any particular equipment failure.
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