Nungdolan bailey bridge hinders movement on NH-37
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 07 2025: Even as Irang, Barak, and Makru bridges along Imphal-Jiribam road have been upgraded to RCC, the bailey bridge at Nungdolan continues to cause significant inconvenience to transporters along the route (National Highway-37).Nungdolan bridge is now the major bottleneck hindering smooth transportation along National Highway-37, with a history of structural compromise, including an incident when the bridge snapped while a truck was crossing it.

Notably, an initiative to upgrade the Nungdolan bridge to RCC was started about eight years ago with the foundation works started, but the project remained incomplete.

A new initiative has now been taken up to build another bridge at Nungdolan.

The bridge's poor condition is currently hindering transporters from carrying goods and supplies at full capacity.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, All Manipur Road Transport Drivers' & Motor Workers' Union (AMRTDMWU) general secretary Maimom Anil Meitei said that transporting goods along NH-37 was challenging when Makru, Barak, and Irang bridges were bailey suspensionbridges.

While the three bridges have been upgraded, the bailey bridge at Nungdolan remains an obstacle for transporters along Imphal-Jiribam road, he said.

Anil stated that an initiative has been taken to build an RCC bridge at Nungdolan but the completion timeline remains uncertain.

Vehicular movement along the highway will become smoother once the RCC bridge is completed and highway maintenance works are finished.

He, however, asked why NHIDCL is taking so long to construct the bridge.

Most goods and supplies are now being transported to Imphal via National Highway 37 due to the Manipur crisis that erupted on May 3, 2023, he said and urged the Governor and the Chief Secretary to direct NHIDCL to expedite the bridge's completion as soon as possible and take necessary action to stabilize landslide-prone areas viz Keithelmanbi to Kotlen and and Kotlen to Sehjang.

Stating that the road's condition will also hinder vehicle movement during the monsoon season, he urged the authorities to complete the highway's maintenance works before monsoon.

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