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DIMAPUR — A vital bridge located along the Mon-Namtola Road (National Highway 702) has been “decommissioned with immediate effect” as it has become unserviceable and hazardous for commuters and vehicles.
As a result, normal vehicular movement from Namtola in Assam to Tizit in Nagaland’s Mon district will remain suspended for four months with effect from 9 am of February 1 till May 31, stated an advisory issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Mon, Ajit Kumar Verma, on Monday.
In the advisory, the DC stated that the ‘Hamilton bridge’ over Pongma River which serves as an interstate ‘lifeline’ for Mon and Namtola (Charideo) would be dismantled and construction of a new bailey bridge (ch-177+000) at Namtola-Mon-Tizit Road at NH 702, will begin with effect from February 1.
In the meantime, light, medium and passenger vehicles have been advised to take an alternate route via Namtola Charali (Assam)-Lahdoigarh-Jaboka-Pentom Junction (Tizit/Mon).
Further, in view of the limited load capacity of the steel girder bridge at the alternate route, transporters and transport associations have been advised to strictly adhere to the stipulated weight limit (7 tons) of the bridge, the DC stated.
Notably, on December 15, 2023, a portion of the single-lane bridge collapsed as a loaded truck was crossing it. Earlier, on Aug. 6, 2019, a portion of the bridge deck collapsed under similar circumstances.
Over the years, civil society organisations including the Konyak Union (KU), the Tizit Area Students’ Union (TASU) and the Konyak Students’ Union (KSU) have also voiced concerns over the safety and stability of the bridge on multiple occasions.