Lokchao RCC bridge ready for inauguration
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 02 2022: Construction of an RCC bridge over the Lokchao river along the Imphal-Moreh road for replacing the World War II era bailey bridge has been completed and it has reached the inauguration stage.

It would be better for commuters and public if the government inaugurates the new RCC bridge at the earliest.

A team of media persons visited Moreh and inspected condition of the NH-102 .

During the inspection, the new RCC bridge at Lokchao spanning 185 metres and constructedby state PWD was found completed.

Painting and installation of street lamps on the bridge have been completed and the bridge could be inaugurated anytime but the government is yet to fix the date for the inauguration.

Nevertheless, works minister Govindas Konthoujam, who inspected the bridge on April 28, had indicated early inauguration of the bridge as he listed Lokchao bridge among the works to be executed within 100 days of the new BJP government.

The earlier bailey bridge at Lokchao, which is said to have been constructed during the time of World War II, was very important structure for Imphal-Moreh road and it served as an important connectivity for people living in Moreh and other border areas.

However, frequent repair of the bridge that necessitated stoppage of vehicular movement caused immense suffering to people particularly those living in Moreh and border areas.

When the old and decaying bailey bridge was not pliable in 2014, the then works minister Th Ratankumar along with officials of state PWD inspected the bridge.

During that time, Th Ratankumar said that the bridge would be repaired with fund from state exchequer immediately and awaiting proposal for construction of an RCC bridge to replace the bailey bridge from the Central government.

Border trade between India and Myanmar which was sealed during the height of COVID-19 pandemic is yet to be open still but many Myanmar traders cross into Moreh and sell their products openly and almost every good sold earlier in adjacent Namphalong market are now available in Moreh.

Traders from Imphal and other parts of the state collect goods from Moreh instead of Namphalong.

Condition of the Imphal-Moreh road has improved significantly and most portions of the road are now of four lanes and black topping too has been completed almost.

In view of improved road condition, time taken in travelling from Imphal to Moreh has been reduced by nearly one hour now.

Earlier, it took around three hours to reach the border town but now it takes only around two hours.

With the increase of traffic volume along the highway, many vehicles are seen lined up for their turn to cross the old bailey bridge at Lokchao as the new RCC bridge is yet to be opened to traffic.

The entire fleet of vehicles waiting to cross the bailey bridge often get stranded when a single vehicle suffers mechanical failure or breakdown as it will block the road.

This problem, however, could be solved once the new RCC bridge is inaugurated and open for traffic at the earliest.

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