Moirangkampu RCC bridge proposed only in Nov: PWD official
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 30 2024: Even though foundation for construction of an RCC bridge at the site of the suspension bridge over Iril river connecting Khurai Angom Leikai and Moirangkampu Sajeb which collapsed on December 27, was laid on January 7, 2022, proposals for construction of the same bridge and two others were sent to the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways only in the last week of November this year.

Notably, an elderly woman died when the suspension bridge over Iril river connecting Khurai Angom Leikai and Moirangkampu Sajeb in Khurai assembly constituency of Imphal East district collapsed on December 27 .

When Ihe People's Chronicle talked to a senior official of Public Works Department (PWD), the official lamented that an elderly woman died when the suspension bridge constructed over the Iril river connecting Khurai An-gom Leikai and Moirangkampu Sajeb snapped.

The official informed that the department had sent proposals to the ministry for construction of three RCC bridges including one at the site of the collapsed suspension bridge in Khurai AC only in the last week of November this year.

The suspension bridge in question was found collapsed due to snapping of a key and unbreakable part known as 'buckle', the official informed.

According to the official, the department has no knowledge of laying foundation stone for construction of an RCC bridge at the same site of the collapsed suspension bridge in Khurai AC and under which scheme or project the RCC bridge is to be constructed even if foundation stone was laid already.

Nevertheless, the bridge in question figured among the proposals sent to the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways for construction of three RCC bridges in the state under the Setu Bandhan Scheme.

Ihe department sent the proposals to the ministry only in the last week of November, 2024 and expects approval, the official informed.

According to the PWD official, the department sent proposals for construction of 10 RCC bridges in different parts of the state under Setu Bandhan Scheme for the year 2024-25 .

However, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways returned the proposals and suggested reduction of bridges as the project amount was in excess.

Accordingly, the department reviewed suggestion from the ministry and resent proposals for only three bridges including the one at Moirangkampu Sajeb-Khurai Angom Leikai, the official said adding that the department had constructed and renovated many bridges over Iril river in the past.

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