Bridge collapses near Silchar; 2 dumpers plunge into river

A CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR: The recently-repaired bridge at Bhangarpar on the Silchar-Kalain Road over river Harang collapsed on Tuesday late night at around 2 AM. Two overloaded dumpers carrying stones plunged into the river along with the bridge structure. Significantly, the bridge was reopened less than a month ago after repairs. This bridge was virtually the main route between Silchar and Kalain as the Gammon Bridge was closed for repairs. The collapse of the bridge completely disrupted road connectivity between Guwahati and the rest of the Barak Valley. Meanwhile, SDRF has been deployed for rescue operations while ferry services commenced.

Local residents were left angered with the subpar quality of the repair works of the bridge and alleged corruption at the higher levels. Rs 1.37 crore was allotted for the repair works. An agitated resident said that the people were threatened after they raised their voices against the poor repair works. Local residents filed an FIR which has been registered, said Cachar SP Numal Mahatta.

Meanwhile sources said that the vehicles that had plunged into the river were actually smuggling limestones. Allegations of a super-active limestone syndicate in the Barak Valley had never been given its due notice by the authority, thus suggesting the involvement of an influential lobby.

Meanwhile, the Barak Valley Development Department Minister, Kaushik Rai, reportedly assured a bailey bridge over the accident site. He however maintained that small private cars could use a nearby alternative road which could sustain merely 10 tonne weighing vehicles. Admitting that the collapse of the bridge would affect the traffic movement between the Barak Valley and Meghalaya and hence prices of vegetables might see a rising trend, Rai assured close monitoring by the administration.

Also Read: Outrage sparked when a bridge on the Silchar-Kalain highway collapses a month after being repaired for Rs 1.37 crore.

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