Bridge collapse
Dimapur, July 14 (EMN): The Public Works Department have today stated that the blame of the collapse of a bridge under threat cannot be blamed on any minister's negligence as there was no release of funds for the bridge and the department had actually closed the bridge but was opened due to public pressure.
" With regard to the issue that the bridge collapsed ‘due to the minister’s negligence’ is totally uncalled for and the blame of collapse of a bridge under threat cannot be attributed to any minister’s negligence. It is also clarified that till date there the fund release for this particular bridge is nil and therefore, there is no question of misdeed and misappropriation of the amount sanctioned for the bridge," stated a press release from the office of the Engineer-In-Chief, NPWD. The Engineer also stated that in June 2015 the department had closed the bridge to traffic in view of the poor condition of the bridge but there was heavy public pressure to open the bridge. Therefore after inspection by the senior officers of the Department on June 25, 2015 along with the ADC, Dimapur, DBs and Police officials and held a meeting with the public leaders of the area.
"After a long deliberation, it was decided that only light vehicles shall be allowed and the Police shall regulate the traffic to restrict and allow only one vehicle at a time, which was subsequently approved by the District Planning Board, Dimapur District. Cautionary Board and barriers were erected on both sides of the bridge, " it stated.
Simultaneously, strengthening works of the mid pier foundation was taken up and completed for which the amount sanctioned was utilised.
The press release also stated that the work order for the construction of the new bridge was issued during July 2016 for an amount of 37.65 crore and a subway was constructed so as to divert the traffic during the bridge construction.
" However, due to the heavy water force, the subway was also washed away. The works can be started only after the heavy rainfall season is over," it stated.
The Engineer in Chief also stated that the department had written to the concerned authorities that harvesting of sand, gravels and boulders within 1 Km on both sides of the bridge be totally banned. "However, it is regrettable to mention that the activities still continued leading to weakening of the bridge foundation," it further stated.
He also stated that the department has constituted a high level technical committee to examine the causes of failure of the bridge and to submit its report within a month’s time.
