Newmai News Network
Imphal | November 1
A driver is missing after the loaded truck he was driving fell into a river when a bridge along the Imphal-Jiribam section of NH-37 collapsed early on Sunday.
The collapse of the bailey bridge on Irang River in Noney district of Manipur has totally cut-off the highway, forcing suspension of vehicular movements on the highway, the second lifeline of Manipur.
Official reports said that the bridge collapsed suddenly as the loaded tipper truck was crossing on Sunday morning, around 7.30 am. The truck fell into the river.
Immediately after the incident, villagers of Taobam village and CRPF personnel who rushed to the spot rescued the handyman who was trapped inside the truck.
However, the driver is missing.
The missing driver is identified as Khamba Singh while the rescued handyman is identified as one Raja.
The truck loaded with sand and heading towards Imphal side from Jiribam belonged to a private company engaging in the railway line construction.
Only the driver and handyman were in the truck.
Meanwhile, rescue operation to trace the missing driver was in progress till the time of filing this report.
Teams of drivers’ bodies from Imphal have joined the rescue operation.
Officials of the state PWD are also camped in the area to take first stock of the situation.
According to the officials, it will take at least one month to 40 days to restore the collapsed bailey bridge. Besides, the materials required for the repairing are to be procured from Kolkata.
There is another bailey bridge on the same (Irang) river which can connect Jiribam with Imphal via Khoupum and Bishnupur (old Cachar road). However, the bridge is too weak to be used for crossing heavy vehicles above 20 MT, the official said.
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