Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 5
Dimapur will now have two entry-exit routes for inter-state vehicles taking NH 29. A much needed RCC bridge was inaugurated on July 5 over the Balu river near the DMC Abattoir, Old Khatkhati Road, United North Block (Burma Camp).
The bridge will now serve as an alternative link to Assam via Lahorijan for inter-state vehicles and hopefully ease traffic congestion at Golaghat Road.
The bridge, constructed under the aegis of the Inter State Connectivity scheme of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, was inaugurated by PWD Minister, Tongpang Ozukum. The bridge was part of a package to pave a 2.5km stretch of road from the Burma Camp junction till the Balu river.
The project was approved by the MoRTH at an estimated cost of over Rs. 13.8cr – 9.6cr for the bridge and 4.1cr for the road.
According to the Chief Engineer, PWD (R&B) Limadongdang Jamir, the bridge was completed on June 10 after construction began in October 2015. It spans 30m in length and 13m in width with a carriageway of 10m.
With a completion period of 24 months, a hiccup over obtaining ‘No Objection Certificate’ from Assam in the initial phase, extended the construction period. “Due to delay in obtaining necessary clearance from the Assam counterparts there was an extended period of 9 months,” he said.
PWD Minister Ozukum regarded the bridge as a “symbol of friendship between the two states.” “This bridge should be called the Friendship Bridge (for) I believe it will greatly benefit the people on both sides (of the inter-state border),” he said.
While stating that he would wish to inaugurate many more new bridges, he sought the support of all stakeholders, especially the civil contractors to ensure that projects are completed on time without cost escalation. He added that his role has been to only inaugurate the bridge, while giving credit due to his predecessor for initiating the construction of the bridge.
He admitted that many bridges in Nagaland are in pathetic conditions – a situation which demands attention. In this regard, he informed, “We are planning to meet the Union Ministry (MoRTH) for assistance to rehabilitate the existing bridges.”
