By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
Dehradun: Days of relentless monsoon rain finally took their toll on a temporary bridge over the Tons River in Dehradun’s Prem Nagar area, which collapsed early Sunday morning, disrupting traffic and causing inconvenience to hundreds of commuters.
The makeshift bridge had been serving as a crucial lifeline since last year, when the devastating September 15 cloudburst and flash floods washed away the original bridge at Prem Nagar. Built as an emergency measure, the temporary structure had enabled traffic to continue while a permanent bridge was under construction nearby.
Sunday’s collapse briefly brought movement on the busy route to a standstill, with long queues of vehicles forming on both sides of the river. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported as the bridge gave way during the early hours when traffic was minimal.
In a swift response, district authorities diverted traffic and, by 11 a.m., opened the newly constructed permanent bridge adjacent to the damaged structure. The timely commissioning of the bridge restored connectivity and brought relief to commuters who had feared prolonged disruption.
Officials said the heavy flow of water in the Tons River, swollen by continuous rainfall across the Doon Valley and Mussoorie, had weakened the temporary structure, leading to its collapse. They added that the permanent bridge had recently been completed and was made operational ahead of schedule to ensure uninterrupted movement.
The incident once again highlighted the vulnerability of temporary infrastructure during the monsoon and underscored the importance of resilient public works in flood-prone areas. For residents of Prem Nagar, however, the opening of the long-awaited permanent bridge turned what could have been a day of prolonged chaos into one of relief.
