Dimapur, July 13 (EMN): Dhansiri River Flood Control Board (DRFCB) has held the State government accountable for the loss of four lives following collapse of the bridge over Chathe River near Referral Hospital on July 11.
The Board chairman Hokheto Kiba alleged that the district administration had turned deaf ears to the matter despite timely reports in the local dailies over the mischief acts on the river for action since 2011.
The Board stated that it had reported the dangerous and weakness of the bridge to EE (PWD) and district administration and jointly verified on June 25, 2015, along with some respective elders. It added that the State government took initiative to repair the affected pillar by sanctioning Rs 18.7 lakhs for the repair. The Board felt that one affected pillar was not repaired well, which caused to fall claiming 4 lives and injuring another 5 persons.
The Board has also pointed to the negligence of the EE (PWD) for not taking proper preventive measures after the verification of the bridge, adding the incident would not happened had the bridge been inspected time to time and see the stable of the bridge.
Meanwhile, the Board has requested to call a District Enforcement Committee emergency meeting led by Deputy Commissioner to protect and prevent future incident on the river and its bank.
