Why the delay in repairing bridge, asks TDC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 15 2017: Transporters and Drivers' Council (TDC) has demanded the State Government to launch an enquiry into the pending work at the suspension bridge near Nungdolan, along Imphal-Jiribam road, which was rendered unusable after a recent accident.

It may be mentioned that some days back, the bridge nearly snapped in two and sent a cement loaded truck (bearing registration number (MN04B/II22) plummeting down the river below, although the driver and the handyman were able to get out to safety before the truck fell over.

Speaking to media persons, TDC president H Ranjit said that on May 12 this year the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Highways Administration, Guwahati issued a notification which prohibited loaded vehicles weighing more than 24 metric tons from crossing the three main bridges along Imphal-Jiribam road, namely Irang, Makru and Barak bridges.

But the bailey bridge near Nungdolan is not mentioned in the said notification and the Highways Administration Guwahati did not put any kind of restriction or criteria for vehicles crossing the bridge, he said.

Asking if the incident happened due to overloading of the cement truck or other reasons, Ranjit expressed disappointment at the lack of attention to the conditions of the roads and bridges and alleged that the bridge, which was constructed during 2012-13, caved in because of the inferior metals used, unfavourable weather for construction and lack of proper maintenance.

He said that the Central Government handed over charge of the road to the MSIDCL company, which again handed it over to another company but none have taken up any proper maintenance work and demanded the Central Government and MSEDCL to take responsibility for the accident.

Ranjit also demanded the authorities concerned to provide proper compensation for the damage to the truck and the loss of the goods on board the vehicle.

The State Government should also take up befitting actions against the company and the officials involved, he demanded.

Pointing out that Makru and Barak bridges, which were constructed in the year 1971, are still intact, Ranjit urged the State Government look into the pending works at the bridge near Nungdolan.

Numerous pillars were erected for converting the said bridge to an RCC bridge but the work abruptly stopped after 2005, he added.

Ranjit further alleged the Central Government of intentionally crippling the developmental efforts at the National Highways of the State due to fear that the Highways might become critical route for trade.

He claimed that the notice issued by the Highways Administration Guwahati prohibiting vehicles weighing than 24 metric tons from crossing Irang, Makru and Barak bridges, is a ploy and added that the said bridges were constructed by GRSE and according to the GRSE guideline, even vehicle weighing 40 metric tons can cross the bridges.

Ranjit further urged the State Government to investigate the reason behind allowing only vehicles weighing 24 metric tons to cross the bridges although they are designed to withstand even more than 40 metric tons.

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