Elevators of foot-over bridges remain unutilised
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 01 2022: Though constructed with huge fund from the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), elevators (lift) installed at four foot-over bridges in Imphal city areas remain unutilised till date.

As per a project named 'Road safety works through improvement of junction, footpath, road signage and marketing & construction of foot bridge' submitted by state's Public Works Department to MoRTH, four foot-over bridges at BT Road, Keishampat junction, Imphal College and near the western gate of Kangla were constructed.

The total cost of the project procured by the PWD was Rs 18.47 crore including Rs 2.40,crore for the foot-overbridges.

Bangaluru-based construction firm Sanjay Inframech Private Limited constructed all the four foot-over bridges.

The firm assembled steel fabricated super structures in Imphal and installed the same.

The super structure for foot-over bridge near the western gate of Kangla was installed first on October 8, 2019, followed by super structure for other foot-over bridges.

After the completion of construction of the four foot-over bridges, the PWD continued construction of one each elevator (lift) on either side of the four foot-over bridges for convenience of elderly and persons with disabilities.

Installation of two elevators each at the four foot-over bridges was completed around two years back.

Even before installation of elevators, people started using the foot-over bridges to cross road but elevators installed at the four foot-over bridges remain unutilised till date.

Though installed for convenience of elderly and physically challenged people, a question arises as to how secure these elevators are as non-transparent fibre boards are used in all four sides of chamber of the elevators.

People using the elevator will be stuck inside the chamber in case the elevator happens to suffer technical snag or power cut during the operation and no one from outside would see those inside.

This is dangerous but such situation could be avoided if at least one side of the chamber is made transparent.

As majority of people of the state lack knowledge of using elevator, there is chance of causing inconvenience even if the elevators are made functional.

Accordingly, at least one or two people are required to station at the elevators to help people.

Meanwhile, some portion of the elevator on the western side of foot-over bridge at Keishampat junction have been damaged while entrance of the same elevator is now being utilised as vehicle parking.

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