Says current pace of work will ensure completion in 3 months
DIMAPUR — The ongoing rehabilitation work of the road over bridge (ROB) near DDSC Stadium, which commenced on October 1, is said to be progressing as per schedule and without any hindrances till date.
The project manager of Innovative Construction, Litangba Sangtam, informed that foundation works for the two bridge spans, which were demolished as part of the rehab words, have been completed while plain cement concrete (PCC) works were on schedule to be completed on Saturday itself.
He said that the first stock of concrete blocks, which will be erected upon the PCC, have already arrived.
Sangtam also informed that Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang and Advisor for Tribal Affairs and Election, Tovihoto Ayemi have visited the construction site for inspection.
According to him, both the leaders have expressed satisfaction at the manner in which the rehab works are progressing while pushing the contractors to complete the works as early as possible.
The project manager also mentioned that they have already erected parapet walls in a few sections of the ROB, estimating that 30% of it has been completed. At the same time, they are said to be working on footpath construction.
There are currently two teams working on the ROB rehab project, he said. One of the teams looks after the construction works on the footpath, railing and parapet wall. The other team takes care of rebuilding the demolished parts of the bridge.
As of now, they are yet to begin construction of the bridge pavements.
Sangtam was confident that if they manage to sustain the current pace of construction, they’ll be able to complete the project within three months.
He also shared some of the problems the firm and the construction workers are facing: stealing of iron rods and construction tools, and people, including school children, crossing the crossing construction site to reach the other end of the road.
Inaugurated in January 1973, the ROB has since served as a vital link for the citizens of Nagaland. However, time and heavy usage have taken their toll.
In 2022, the Public Works Department (NH) commissioned CE Testing, a consultancy firm from Kolkata, to evaluate the bridge’s structural integrity.
Based on their report, two out of the nine spans were identified as weak. The two spans, located beneath the bridge from the Hotel Tragopan end, were completely demolished and set to be rebuilt using a reinforced earth wall.
The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, after reviewing the assessment report, approved a rehabilitation project with a budget of INR 2.68 crore. Following a tendering process, the contract was awarded to M/s Innovative Construction.