Khoyathong bridge closure affecting DMU's academic atmosphere
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 22 2025: It has been four months since the Public Works Department (PWD) closed the Khoyathong Bridge for rebuilding and expansion.

While the people are already inconvenienced due to the blockade, it is the students of Dhanamanjuri University (DMU) who are more seriously impacted due to commuters using the road inside the campus as a diversion route.

It may be mentioned here that the expansion project of Khoyathong Bridge was taken up on February 1 this year with a long-term vision of solving flash floods.

However, due to closure of the bridge, commuters are forced to take alternative routes, primarily the DMU campus to access Nagamapal, Thangmeiband, Assembly complex, Lamphelpat and Langol, North AOC, Chingmeirong, Minuthong, etc.

Private vehicles including heavy vehicles are passing through continuously, which has further worsened the flood-damaged roads inside the campus.

Moreover, dust pollution caused by relentless movement of vehicles and blowing of horns have severely affected the peaceful academic atmosphere of the university.

Speaking to The People's Chronicle in this regard, Dhanamanjuri University Students' Union (DMU-SU) president Chalamba Khangembam raised concern that closure of the Khoyathong bridge has greatly affected the academic atmosphere as commuters are increasing passing through the campus using its roads like a diverted route.

It is difficult to conduct classes amid the frequent traffic jams and blowing the horns.

All of the colleges including DM College of Science, DM Col lege of Arts and DM College of Commerce are facing the same issue.

In addition, the narrow road inside the campus, which was already in poor condition, has further deteriorated with the increasing volume of vehicular movement.

There are also incidents of vehicle theft and students being struck by the vehicles.

The VC had already been apprised of the matter, who subsequently requested the Governor in writing 2-3 times to look into the same.

However, no action has been taken till date.

Recounting that the students had shut down the road earlier but lifted the road closure due to inconveniences caused to the public, the president reminded authorities concerned that DMU is the backbone of the state's human resources as such urged the Governor and the authorities concerned to look into the matter at the earliest.

On the other hand, The People's Chronicle contacted a PWD official, who conveyed that the Khoyathong bridge is currently under month long process of curing on completion of the slab casting.

The approach road is being constructed and the work is likely to be completed by second week of July, he said.

The official informed that the Khoyathong Bridge is being expanded at a cost of around Rs 1 crore.

The previous bridge was around 2.8 metres wide.

The new bridge, however, has been expanded by around six metres.

After the expansion project is completed, a plan is being made to construct three culverts over the Naga river near SS Hotel, Shani Mandir and near the Khoyathong crematorium.

This would help in solving the frequent flooding issues along the Naga river and in Thangal Bazar area, he said.

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