TDC points finger at NHIDCL, MoRTH
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 01 2020:
The Transporters and Drivers Council (TDC) has blamed NHIDCL and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) for the snapping of Irang Bridge and plunging of a tipper into the river along with its driver who could not be located till the time of filing this report.
It has also demanded the NHIDCL to repair the bridge before the Ningol Chakkouba festival.
After the truck fell into Irang River, its driver Khamba from Hojai, Assam could not be located.
Speaking to media persons about the accident, TDC president H Ranjit said that they would explore all possible means to repair the bridge if NHIDCL is not in a position to repair Irang Bridge within a short time.
Irang Bridge was re-constructed after it was blown apart by a UG group in 2010 .
It was because of the authority's failure to maintain the bridge properly that it snapped today plunging a truck into the river along with its driver, Ranjit said.
When the bridge is re-constructed, its side wall should be extended and doubled, he demanded.
A team led by the All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers Union general secretary Maimom Anil is currently at Irang assessing the situation.
Earlier it was BRO and now it is NHIDCL which has been using the highway project as a permanent avenue for earning huge profits, Ranjit alleged.
He asserted that transporters plying on Imphal-Jiribam highway never exceeded the permissible loads.
He then asked if the Government of India issued any specific instruction on how Imphal-Jiribam highway should be constructed and how many tonnes it must be able to handle.
Ranjit asserted that the Government of India sanctioned adequate funds for constructing Imphal-Jiribam highway as a standard highway.
Goods carrier trucks have been plying on Imphal-Jiribam highway after abandoning Imphal-Dimapur highway since 2010 .
Although it has been 10 years, agencies engaged in constructing and maintaining the highway are still unable to construct a bridge over a small river, he decried.
The Chief Minister should look into the matter and ensure that Imphal-Jiribam highway is developed to the level of a standard National highway, he added.