Anger after bridge collapse

A day later, officials from NHAI, construction firm remain elusive

A Correspondent

Sopur, May 7: Official from the tiol Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and the construction firm remained elusive on Thursday, a day after the under-construction bridge over Digaru at Sopur caved in, triggering resentment among the locals.

The debris of the collapsed bridge still lied on the river, blocking the tural flow of the river.

Locals are worried that workers would not be able to remove the debris once the water level of the river start rising following the rains.

The Dispur Samasti Jakalyan Mancha and Amri Karbi Students Union have alleged that the construction firm used low quality cement and sand that resulted in the collapse of the bridge.

“While constructing the bridge, the firm had blocked the tural flow of the river and instead created a small channel. This has led to erosion on the banks, posing a threat to the 200-bedded hospital and the Bhupen Hazarika Museum located on the Digaru banks,” locals said, adding that movement of boats have been hampered due to the act.

Bidyut Bora, chief advisor of the Dispur Samasti Jakalyan Manch, said his organization has decided to send the cement, iron and sand used in the construction for forensic tests. “We want to verify if the construction firm followed the guidelines, particularly usage of good quality raw materials, for the work,” he said.

The local organizations have threatened to embark on warpath if the bridge is not reconstructed at the earliest.

There were reports that a two-member team from the RITES will visit the spot today to take stock of the reasons behind the collapse of the bridge.

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 work 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.

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