Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Oct. 17: The bridge across Dhansiri River at Kuda ‘B’ khel of Nagarjan in Dimapur has been facing many problems during the past one year, forcing commuters on National Highway 29 to experience unpleasant rides besides disturbing traffic. There is no respite for the public as the bridge remains closed.
The district administration has declared the bridge unsafe for traffic and had barricaded entry from both ends after the road cracked, on October 15.
An executive engineer (EE) of the PWD (R&B) informed Eastern Mirror that temporary measures were undertaken and the crack was filled with soil on Oct. 17, adding that single-lane vehicular movement would be allowed. The deputy commissioner of Dimapur also issued an order on the same day that light vehicles would be allowed to pass the damaged road with immediate effect but additional deputy commissioner of Dimapur, Albert Ezung later informed that further verification and inspection would be done before the bridge is re-opened.
The EE also informed that reopening of the bridge would be considered only after a joint inspection by the district administration and department officials on Oct. 18.
An official from the PWD told Eastern Mirror that public convenience is very important but “safety certificate” cannot be issued in this regard. “Accident can happen anywhere, even on good roads or bridges and the department’s view that the bridge is not safe for vehicular movement still stands,” the official asserted.
Earlier this year, deputy commissioner, Dimapur, issued a strict order that no vehicle or pedestrian should be allowed to cross the dilapidated Dhansiri bridge along the Nagarjan road, adding that anyone defying the order would be doing so at their own risk. Cautionary posters were also put up in both the ends of the bridge.
Meanwhile, the new bridge, which is under construction, is moving at a fast pace, informed sub-divisional officer (SDO), PWD (R&B). “There will be four piers and two abutments that will stand, and right now pile cap work is going on,” informed the SDO.
The EE and SDO also acknowledged the contractor for financing the construction work at his own expenses on three bridges at Nagarjan, over Chathe River and Balijan.
Complete Dhansiri Bridge work by Christmas — NCD
The Naga Council of Dimapur (NCD) has raised questions over the delay and halting of construction works at old Dhansiri Bridge near Urban Haat in Dimapur. The council has demanded that the department in concern resume work immediately. It has warned that the public would hit the streets if it is not completed before the Christmas season.
The NCD said in a statement that the construction works on the bridge had come to a grinding halt. It expressed 'surprise' that after dismantling the old Dhansiri Bridge, 'the construction works, which was supposed to be started right away, has come to a standstill'.
Demanding the resumption and completion of the bridge before Christmas season, the NCD has demanded a "befitting penalty to be given to the concerned parties involved which has been clearly mentioned in the contract agreement that all the works project must be completed within 24 months from the date of issue of the order otherwise penalty be charged as per rules of the contract agreement."
The NCD stated that “an amount of INR 9, 25, 8100 was granted for the construction of RCCT-Beam bridged over the Dhansiri river to M/S Aien Enterprises, CL-1 360 NPW, Dimapur Nagaland” according to the work order of the project.
"All legal tangles and pending issues of handling over the construction works to the Urban Development by the PWD (R&B) division has been completed and obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has now been cleared,” said NCD.
The Council has also asked the department of Urban Development and the firm why the bridge was dismantled in the first place if they cannot take up the task of completing it when the bridge helped ease Dimapur’s traffic.
"With the ushering of festive season, more traffic problem seem to be on the door for the denizens as well as those visiting the state, and the traffic congestion is hampering the economic and social life,” maintained the council while urging the concerned authorities to pay heed to the plight of the public.
Meanwhile, the Urban Development Officer Akok Aier told Eastern Mirror that the construction work of the bridge started in Dec. 2017 and is supposed to be completed by Dec. 2019 according to the official guideline. He maintained that three pillars near the Urban Haat will be completed by Nov. or Dec. 2018 and the work towards Urban Haat was in progress.
However, the setting up of crane in Purana Bazaar area, which was halted because of flooding and rain, will resume with the onset of dry season.
"The RCC casting towards Urban Haat is in progress. There are lots of technicalities involved and the public should understand that and not assess based only on the ground,” said Aier.
The old Dhansiri Bridge was closed for repairs on Jan. 9, 2017.
