NPF condemns Irang bridge collapse
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 05 2020:
The Naga Peoples' Front (NPF) Nungba Unit has drawn the attention of NHIDCL, NHAI, MoRTH, Government of India and the State Government regarding the collapse of Irang bridge recently near Taobam village, NH-37 in Noney district.A press release issued by the NPF, Nungba Unit said that the death of the tipper driver due to the negligence of the concerned authorities is very unfortunate.
Saying that it strongly condemns the NHIDCL for the poor maintenance of all the bridges and the overall stretch of NH-37 passing through Noney and Tamenglong districts, the NPF said that many precious lives have been lost caused lots of hardship to the general public due to the negligence of the concerned authorities.This Taobam incident must be thoroughly investigated and those responsible for this mishap should be punished as per the law of the land, it said and demanded payment of adequate compensation to the next of kin of the deceased and financial help to the seriously injured person.Saying that the public who are facing untold hardships because of the mishap at Taobam Junction should be taken care of by providing them alternative means of safe passage by roping in steamboats, motorboats and other means of transport in emergency cases, the statement continued that an adequate number of life jackets and proper lighting system should also be arranged for safe passage.
It is also brought to the notice of the concerned authorities that NH-37A which is still under construction is not sufficiently equipped to handle heavy traffic volume as seen now.
This stretch of the historic Old Cachar Road i.e Tonjei Maril passing through Khoupum valley will go down to the drain if such heavy traffic is being handled even before the construction of the road is completed, the statement added.
The NPF Nungba Unit also cautioned the Keystone Company to maintain high quality in road repair work.It also urged the NHAI, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to install weighing machines near all the bridges between Imphal and Jiribam to check the load capacity of heavy vehicles and also to regulate smooth traffic along the stretch of NH-37 and NH-37A to avoid road mishap in future.