Damaged Bailey bridge yet to be repaired
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 21 2021: While transportation of essential items into the state from outside remained affected since the past few days due to partial damage caused to the Bailey bridge near Nung Dalan along Imphal-Jiribam (NH-37) road, stranded truckers have begun to suffer.

On the other hand, All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers' Union general secretary Anil Meitei has expressed strong resentment against the indifferent attitude of the government even though the highway is remaining cut off for several days due to partial damage caused to the bridge.

According to a source, no vehicle could ply across the Bailey bridge after it got damaged partially five days back.

NHIDCL, which looks after NH-37 section, brought a machine on Friday at about 4pm only and removed the damaged iron sheet of the bridge and tried to fix the broken sheet.

The repair work is likely to continue till Sunday.

The source further said that drivers and helpers of trucks stranded along the highway for several days are beginning to suffer as their ration stocks have exhausted while some have become ill.

On the other-hand, Anil Meitei said that it was heart-breaking and very unfortunate that government remained inattentive when transportation of essential items into the state through NH-37 remains affected for several days.

It is the responsibility of NHIDCL to look after the road but the company seems to be inefficient in improving condition of the road while there is no sign of the government in pressurising the company for strengthening the bridge, he, said.

While informing NHIDCL is trying to fix the broken iron sheet of the bridge instead of replacing it with a new one, he cautioned that there is no guarantee on how long the repaired old iron sheet would last.

Anil said that drivers have been demanding replacement of the bailey bridge with RCC one and the matter had even been apprised to Union transport minister during the inauguration of Makru bridge recently.

He then urged state government to mount strong pressure on the Central government to upgrade the Bailey bridge at Nung Dalan to an RCC structure.

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