Five labourers injured in bridge collapse
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 05 2014: At least five labourers were injured when a 15 metre span of an under construction RCC bridge over Iril river at Keirao Litan Makhong in Imphal East collapsed today.

The bridge collapsed today around 9 am while labourers were filling concrete on the slab.

Contract for construction of the RCC bridge is awarded to private firms/contractors by the Bridge Division of Public Works Department.

Out of the approved cost of Rs 625.19 lakh, Rs 562.67 lakh is sanctioned under the Non-lapsable Central Pool of Resources.

Reports culled from the spot said that filling of concrete on the slab in three tier with a thickness of 2.50 ft began since Monday.

The whole of the 15 metres span collapsed when final filling of the slab began today.

Pic of the collapsed bridge

The injured labourers are Md Abdul Hussain (40), Md Amusana (27), Md Naoba alias Nanao (30), Abdul Anwar (25) and Md Abdul Jabab, all from Sangaiyumpham in Thoubal district.

All of them were admitted to JNIMS.

The condition of Abdul Jabab is said to be critical.

The total length of the bridge is 60 metres.

Filling of concrete is completed for half of the bridge.

Official record maintained that construction of the bridge should begin on Dec 16, 2011 and it should be completed by Dec 16, 2013 .

A PWD engineer who was present at the site today said that the bridge might have collapsed due to defective construction of the firmer.

The firmer is constructed with four tier with its base 30 ft deep underground.

The engineer suspected firmer construction fault in the 3rd tier.

It may be mentioned that there was a public outcry following the crumbling down of a retaining wall in the eastern side of the bridge on Dec 23 last year.

Meanwhile, Keirao public has raised complain that the suspension bridge near the RCC bridge is in a dilapidated condition.

Saying that the wooden planks used in the suspension bridge have become rotten with many parts crumbling, they said some school going children via the bridge suffer injury due to crumbling down of the rotten planks while treading on.