Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Oct. 14: The Dimapur district administration has declared traffic across the Nagarjan Bridge, striding over Dhansiri River at Kuda ‘B’ Khel, as unsafe for public use. This declaration from the district administration came following a joint inspection with ‘technical personnel’ on Sunday afternoon.
The deputy commissioner (DC) of Dimapur issued a statement informing that a massive crack had developed along the approach road towards the bridge (while coming from the town area) due to the ongoing construction of a new bridge after the old one had cracked in the middle.
“In view of the danger that the present situation poses, a total ban on vehicular traffic on the bridge is imposed for precautionary measures with immediate effect and travellers are requested to take alternate routes until further notice,” the DC informed.
The additional deputy commissioner of Dimapur Police as well as its public relations officer has also informed that vehicular movement, for both two-wheeler and four-wheeler, at Nagarjan Bridge Dimapur have been banned till further notice.
The sub-divisional officer of PWD (R&B) Dimapur, Nagashe told Eastern Mirror “there was misinformation circulating on social media that the bridge has been damaged. But the condition of the bridge is as it has been since the sinking of the middle portion on July 21, 2017.”
The officer said that due to excavation works going on at the site, and the rainfall in the past few days, 20-30% of the retaining wall underneath the approach road has ‘slipped down.’ Therefore, to avoid any risk the district administration has closed the bridge till further notice. Also he cautioned that although the bridge was intact, it was not safe to commute as the pressure put on by vehicles or commuters may cause more damage.
Kuda Youth Organisation president, Vikedo Linyü also reported that there was a rift in the retaining wall due to the rainfall and the ancient bridge was intact.
