Barak bridge still inaccessible
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 30 2015 : Barak Bridge built over the Barak river along Imphal-Jiribam National highway is still inaccessible to heavy vehicles as there is very little progress in the repairing works carried out by the authorities concerned.

Wooden planks of Barak bridge whose total breadth is around 20 feet broke apart when a heavy loaded truck began crossing the bridge on August 24 around 12:30 noon.

The cement-laden truck moving from Jiribam towards Imphal hit the mid-portion of Barak bridge.

After that, the bridge became inaccessible from either side.

The total weight of the loaded truck is estimated to be above 40 tonnes while the total weight of loaded trucks permitted on Imphal-Jiribam highway as per the State gazette is just 24 tonnes.

While light public transport vehicle were using the old Barak bridge to cross the river, the wooden planks were also damaged.

It may be mentioned here that the new Barak bridge was inaugurated in November last year.

Over 500 trucks loaded with essential goods, construction materials and other materials have been stranded.

Stating that the repairing work carried out by the BRTF is not satisfactory, a truck driver stated that workers come for repairing work just for a few hours and the bridge is left unattended for the whole day.

As the bridge has been inaccessible for the last four to five days, drivers and other people have been facing all forms of hardships to get necessary supplies, he added.

Later he urged the concerned authorities to do the needful in the larger interest of the people of the State.

Meanwhile, Junior Engineer of 83 RCC BRTF Chanchal Sarkar maintained that the repairing works will be completed within 15 to 20 days as the necessary materials were yet to arrive in the area.

He maintained that such incidents mostly occur as trucks crossing the bridge are overloaded with goods and drivers try to hide away the actual weight of the truck along with the goods or they will be debarred from crossing the bridge.

For Barak bridge the total weight of loaded trucks permitted on Imphal-Jiribam highway is 24 tonnes.

Earlier, the Manipur Truck Owners Welfare Association, while noting that the Barak bridge was inaccessible for the third time since it was constructed, alleged that BRO has been treating the highway construction and maintenance work as a means of earning money only.

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