DIMAPUR, JULY 13 (MExN): The Nagaland PWD issued a statement today clarifying that blaming the collapse of the iron girder bridge in Dimapur on the R&B Minister’s “negligence” is “totally uncalled for and the blame of collapse of a bridge under threat cannot be attributed to any Minister’s negligence.”
A press note from the Engineer in Chief, NPWD added that till date “the fund release for this particular bridge is nil and therefore, there is no question of misdeed and misappropriation of the amount sanctioned for the bridge.”
The amount sanctioned for the construction of the new bridge during 2015 is Rs. 37.65 Crore, it informed, while stating that “no funds have been released.” It added that the work order was issued during July 2016.
“The Subway was constructed so as to divert the traffic during the bridge construction. However, due to the heavy water force, the subway was also washed away. The works can be started only after the heavy rainfall season is over,” it added.
The department further said it has already initiated to repair/maintain the Seithekima- Patkai road from the 12th July 2017. It reminded that during June 2015 the Department had closed the bridge to traffic in view of the poor condition of the bridge.
“However, there was heavy public pressure to open the bridge. Therefore, the senior officers of the Department inspected the bridge site on June 25, 2015 along with the ADC, Dimapur, DBs and Police officials and held a Meeting with the Public leaders of the area. After a long deliberation, it was decided that only light vehicles shall be allowed and the Police shall regulate the traffic to restrict and allow only one vehicle at a time, which was subsequently approved by the District Planning Board, Dimapur District. Cautionary Board and barriers were erected on both sides of the bridge. Simultaneously, strengthening works of the mid pier foundation was taken up and completed for which the amount sanctioned was utilized,” the department claimed.
It also informed that the department had written to the concerned authorities that the harvesting of sand, gravels and boulders within a parameter of 1.00 Km on both ends of the bridge should be totally banned. “However, it is regrettable to mention that the activities still continued leading to weakening of the bridge foundation.”
Meanwhile it said that the department has constituted a High Level Technical Committee to examine the causes of failure of the bridge and to submit its report within a month’s time.
