Kuda Dhansiri Bridge on verge of collapse
Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 20
Nine days after the bridge over the Chathe River at 4th Mile gave way another bridge over the Dhansiri River at Kuda (Nagarjan) is on the verge of heavy collapse.
On Thursday, the historic 90 year-old-bridge built during the British time was closed down to traffic, both vehicular and pedestrian, as the swelling river caused by monsoon rains threatened to wash away the already eroded foundation of the bridge.
Local and Security Personel making a blocked for further casualities[/caption] Early on Thursday morning, residents of the Kuda Village and members of Kuda Youth Organization (KYO) noticed that the existing vertical crack running right in the middle of the bridge had widened by some few inches and informed the district administration.
Around 7:00am, the district administration and police led by deputy commissioner, Kesonyu Yhome, promptly arrived on the spot and after inspecting the condition of the bridge, the DC ordered for temporary closure of the bridge, for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Both sides of the bridge have been fenced and police personnel and KYO volunteers are keeping vigil to prevent any untoward incident.
KYO president told The Morung Express that the water level of the river had subsided to a great extent by evening but the crack had widened by a couple of inches compared to morning.
When contacted, DC Dimapur said the district administration along with officials of the department concerned would thoroughly inspect the bridge tomorrow to adopt future plan of action for making alternative arrangement
“Today because too many things happening (flood situation and water logging in many parts of Dimapur), we could not have enough time to discuss about the bridge in particular”, Yhome said.
When queried if pedestrians would be allowed to ply the bridge by tomorrow as the water level had receded considerably, the DC said a clear picture would emerge only after properly assessing the condition of the bridge on Friday.
“If we just open the bridge for pedestrians, then the responsibility would fall on the administration in case anything happens. By tomorrow if things seem okay, then we allow pedestrian movement under certain regulations”, Yhome said.
