Another bridge over Chathe on the verge of collapse

[caption id="attachment_147466" align="alignnone" width="550"] The bridge over Chathe River at New Chumukedima on the verge of collapse[/caption] Our Correspondent Kohima, Oct. 31 (EMN): The 34-year old Chathe bridge, formerly known as KJP Sub-highway bridge over Chathe River at New Chumukedima village (commonly known as pagala-pahar) is on the verge of collapsing with dilapidated girders and truss joints causing panic among travellers. Ever since it was inaugurated on February 26, 1983 by the then chief minister of Nagaland, S.C. Jamir, the bridge which connects one of the oldest state highways serves as a lifeline to the villagers nearby and those under Peren district. A signboard has been put up by the New Chumukedima village youth cautioning heavy vehicles to cross one at a time. In this regard, the village council of New Chumukedima and Rüzaphema village has written to the chief engineer, PWD (R&B) Kohima dated July 18, 2017, a copy of which was made available to Eastern Mirror, seeking urgent repair and renovation of the bridge. The village council chairman in its letter has highlighted in detail the condition of the bridge wherein it stated that the over the years, the 34-year old bridge has weakened and the strength of the bridge reduced. It further mentioned that the bridge sways precariously whenever any vehicle passes on it, which poses a threat on the safety of the people plying over it. Adding to its instability, the black topping on the bridge span covering a distance of 25 meters has worn out causing water stagnation during rainy season causing further damage to the bridge. Subsequently, the executive engineer PWD (R&B), Dimapur Division wrote to the chief engineer, PWD (R&B) Kohima dated August 21, 2017 which stated that ‘the division had also sent reports to your competent authority regarding the condition of the said bridge and the requirement for necessary action.’ The letter further stated that the condition of the bridge was also stated in the Flood Damage Report of the whole division, which was duly submitted as desired by the authority. The executive engineer has therefore, requested the authority to do the needful for further necessary actions in the general interest of all concerned. Meanwhile, village council chairman, New Chumukedima, S. Bao Hama talking to Eastern Mirror said there has been no response from the concerned department till now and they have been assured stating ‘they would look into the matter.’ Expressing grave concern over the instability of the bridge, Hama said the joints are falling apart and the overhead beams supporting the bridge are breaking down posing serious threat on the lives of the travellers. He was worried that should the bridge collapse any day, the lifeline of the people from New Cumukedima, Rüzaphema village and villages under Peren district will be totally cut off. It was informed that no repair or renovation works have been carried out of the said bridge ever since it was inaugurated. Mention maybe made that four persons were killed and five others injured when a portion of the 30-year old bridge linking NH-29 Dimapur-Chumukedima with Niuland collapsed on July 11, 2017.