3 engineers suspended, inquiry committee set up
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 10 2014: In connection with the collapse of an RCC bridge built over Iril river at Keirao Litan Makhong recently even before it was completed and which caused injuries to four persons, three engineers and a road mohori have been suspended apart from instituting an enquiry committee.

Speaking to media persons at his Old Secretariat office this afternoon about the February 5 incident, Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar stated that the three engineers and the road mohori have been put under suspension.

After personally inspecting the collapsed bridge together with top officials of Works Department, Dr Ratankumar sought a report from the Additional Chief Engineer-II about the incident.

The report submitted by the Additional Chief Engineer-II stated that the incomplete bridge might have collapsed as the wooden beam used for supporting the slabs were pine wood.

The collapsed bridge being inspected

After perusing the report and observing prima facie evidence, the three engineers and the road mohori were suspended, informed the Minister.

The suspended officials are Executive Engineer in-charge (Bridge Division) L Ingochoubi, Assistant Engineer N Bimol, Section Officer (Sub-Division III) Md Abdul Khalique and road mohori S Shantikumar.

Moreover, contractor Md Liyaqat Ali engaged in constructing the 60 metres long and 15 metres wide bridge has been sent a show cause notice asking if there is any reason why he should not be black listed.

Taking serious note of the incident, an enquiry committee headed by Principal Secretary (Works) Ram Muivah has been constituted and put into motion from today.

Chief Engineer M Lokendro and Superintending Engineer N Subhash are members of the enquiry committee.

The committee would submit a report to the Government within a month giving details about the primary factors responsible for the bridge collapse, materials used in constructing the bridge, lapses, if there is any, in construction and supervision and suggestions to avoid such drawbacks in future.

The Minister also conceded that the enquiry instituted in connection with the sinking of a bridge built over Leishang Hiden, Canchipur was left incomplete.

To a query, Dr Ratankumar said that the department's particular section which should monitor construction works taken up by the department was not functioning since the past.

As such, outside agencies are hired and they are monitoring qualitative aspects of construction works.

Talking about Imphal-Jiribam highway, Dr Ratankumar said that it is not clear whether BRO would remain in charge of the highway nor is there any response to the State Government's instruction to submit status report of the highway development work.

In addition to the existing Barak and Makru bridges, two other bailey bridges would be constructed soon along the highway.

Due process for construction of Sanjenthong bridge anew is nearing completion.

As vehicular traffic would be blocked through the bridge once the construction work starts, due arrangements would be made for diversion to Thumbuthong and Minuthong bridges, said the Works Minister.

The proposed ring road around Imphal city would entail expansion of the existing roads and some sections of the ring road would pass through paddy fields, he added.