Fearing a possible collapse of the ageing bridge over River Parvati, authorities in Berasia on Tuesday completely halted vehicular movement on the Berasia–Narsinghgarh Road, warning commuters of grave danger during the monsoon. The emergency order was issued by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Berasia after a joint inspection with engineers from the Public Works Department and the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation (MPRDC). The inspection revealed that both the main bridge and its makeshift riverbed bypass were now unsafe for public use. The Parvati bridge — built in 1976 and now nearly 49 years old — had already suffered visible structural cracks. On the night of January 16 this year, a portion of the bridge near Runha Jod in Berasia reportedly sank, triggering the first round of emergency response and its initial closure. Later, authorities allowed light traffic via a temporary parallel crossing through the riverbed, laid with sand, gravel and boulders. However, with tributaries running full and rainfall upstream in Sehore district likely to swell the Parvati without local warning, the bypass was deemed too dangerous to remain open. Villagers say the rivers flooding pattern often has no direct link to rainfall in Berasia itself. The bridge serves as a vital connection between Berasia and Narsinghgarh. With both the main structure and the temporary passage now sealed, officials are urging travellers to use the alternative route via Semlapar, Silkheda, Lakhanwas, Sanwasi and Dudhiyadiwan to reach Narsinghgarh. MPRDC engineers are expected to conduct a fresh structural assessment of the bridge. Until then, all movement across the Parvati at this point has been indefinitely suspended.

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