TDC accuses BRO of sloppy work
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 08 2016:
Alleging that the BRO has been deceiving the people of Manipur by defying the Government of India's instruction to make the bailey bridge of Barak river capable of withstanding 40 tonnes while restricting the weight of all vehicles which cross the bridge to just 24 tonnes, the Transporters' and Drivers' Council (TDC) has questioned the State Government's silence.
Speaking to media persons here today, TDC president H Ranjit asserted that there is no bridge along any highway in India whose capacity is restricted to just 24 tonnes.
The existing Barak bailey bridge can be made to withstand 40 tonnes with necessary reinforcement but BRO has been maintaining that no vehicles heavier than 24 tonnes can cross the bridge.
Had PWD constructed Barak bailey bridge, some engineers would have been suspended.
A huge amount has been expended on the bridge through BRO but the bridge is still far from being reliable.
Ranjit then questioned issuance of gazette notification by the Transport Department at the behest of BRO which restricts weights of all vehicles to just 24 tonnes if they should cross the bridge.
Demanding annulment of the gazette notification, he threatened that TDC would go to Court if the gazette notification is not withdrawn at the earliest.
Being a part of National Highway, the 360 feet long bridge is under the care of the Highway Authority of India (HAI) .
Whereas Makru bridge which was constructed earlier still remains in shape, Barak bridge tilted to different angles four times which implies serious technical flaws.
On September 4 last year, an official meeting was held in the office chamber of the Additional Chief Secretary (now Chief Secretary) O Nabakishore.
During the meeting, BRO sought two months' time to equip the side wall of Barak bridge with wheel guards and replace the steel runners with wooden runners.
But nothing has been done in this regard till date.
While appealing to all transporters not to carry loads heavier than 24 tonnes, Ranjit asked as to why no action should be initiated against the BRO engineers who are responsible for the technical flaws impairing Barak bridge.
He then offered to equip side wall with wheel guards and replace steel runners with wooden runners at the expense of TDC while urging the Government to bring BRO to task.