Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 2
A temporary structure serving an alternative way for many people residing on the other side of the Chathe River at 4th Mile was washed away on the night of May 1 after a heavy spell of rains.
The structure was built after the ageing bridge over the Chathe River connecting Dimapur with Niuland ADC sub-division and other sides caved in on July 11, 2017, claiming 4 lives and injuring at least 5.
Two columns on the east bank (towards Niuland) shifted dislodging the deck of the bridge and it virtually cut off two administrative blocks – Niuland and Kuhuboto – from Dimapur. Officials of the PWD (R&B) confirmed that sand gravel and stone mining caused the bridge to cave in.
While the temporary 'Hume pipe' culvert was washed away, the Bailey bridge, sanctioned in September last, is yet to be completed.
However, a person residing on the other side of the river informed that the present structure was one of the two culverts built after the bridge collapsed. The two were used as ‘in-and-out’ route between the two sides.
In a message to The Morung Express, Dr Chubatola Aier, Proprietor and Principal of C-Edge College wrote: "The dreaded moment happened last evening when the hume pipes subway across the Chathe river was washed away last night.”
She, however, noted that “Though running a little behind schedule due to various circumstances, the State PWD department has been working consistently to make the Bailey bridge open to the public at earliest."
While confirming the news about temporary structure, a JE in PWD (R&B) could not give a definite time for the completion of the Bailey bridge.
A hanging bridge at Seitheke Basa village linking 7th Mile village also served as an alternate route for thousands of people residing across the river.
