A temporary bamboo bridge over the Harang River, erected as an emergency measure, washed away on Wednesday due to an abrupt spike in water levels, causing yet another setback in connectivity in Assam's Cachar district.
After the main bridge on the Silchar–Kalain National Highway collapsed, the bamboo bridge was put in place. Despite the fact that there have been no recorded injuries, the incident has raised regional public concerns.
Under the direction of the Public Works Department (PWD), Mridul Yadav, the district commissioner for Cachar, reported that work on an iron suspension bridge had already started at the location.
“Construction began this evening, and we are hopeful that the suspension bridge will be completed by Saturday to restore basic movement,” DC Yadav said. Two weeks ago, the original concrete bridge crumbled, severely impacting communities on both sides of the river and immobilizing transportation. A Bailey bridge was first suggested by the authorities as a temporary fix, with a two-week turnaround time. But things have moved more slowly than anticipated.
Responding to concerns over the delay, DC Yadav explained, “The materials for the Bailey bridge have already arrived at the site. An engineering team from Ranchi is expected to reach on Saturday, after which construction will begin”. In the meantime, commuters' and locals' everyday lives continue to be seriously interrupted, underscoring the pressing need for long-term infrastructural solutions.