A bridge too far!

Under-construction Rs 1.67 cr bridge collapses, NHAI work under scanner

BY OUR BUREAU

SOPUR/DIMORIA, May 6: There is now a question mark about the quality of work being done by the tiol Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in Assam after the an under-construction bridge over the Digaru River in Sopur near the city, collapsed suddenly.

The troubling question is — did the under-construction bridge collapse due to poor quality of work or some technical fault?

Sources said a two-member team from the RITES will visit the spot on Thursday to take stock of the reasons behind the collapse of the bridge.

The NHAI, which is under the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, was constituted by an Act of Parliament - the tiol Highways Authority of India Act, 1988. The NHAI is responsible for the development, maintence and magement of tiol highways entrusted to it and for matters connected or incidental thereto.

Sources said the cost of the bridge, the construction of which is yet to be completed, is Rs 1,66,72,000.

Local people and several organisations have alleged that corruption and negligence in construction have led to the collapse of the under-construction bridge.

Sources said the construction of the bridge is being carried out by one company med KMC which has been allotted the task by the NHAI. The KMC, in return, is said to have allotted the construction work of the bridge to other sub-contractors.

Local organisations like the Dispur Samasti Jakalyan Mancha (DSJM) and the Aamri Karbi Students Union (AKSU) alleged that the track record of KMC is very poor and allotment of works to sub-contractors without judging their past credentials has proved dangerous.

DSJM chief advisor Bidyut Bora said, “The NHAI has been negligent in monitoring the quality of construction of the bridge.”

AKSU president Hareswar Ronghang said, “KMC has no knowledge of working on highway projects.” The AKSU has demanded a high level enquiry into the collapse of the bridge.