Authorities to close Dimapur’s ancient iron bridge from Friday

The administration had finally noticed that one of Dimapur district’s oldest landmarks, the iron bridge on Dhansiri River straddling the 4^th Mile areas and Christian institute of Health Sciences and Research, has now become absolute and a danger to commuters “any time without warning which will result in the loss of lives”.

The authorities have ordered shutting traffic on the bridge from June 26, Friday from 12 PM. All vehicular traffic of both light and heavy vehicles has been prohibited. The Patkai-new Showba road has been suggested for commuting until an alternate arrangement is made.

The Dimapur district administration has issued an order warning the public that the bridge was “on the brink of collapse any time without warning which will result in the loss of lives”. The administration had closed the bridge with immediate effect.

Interestingly, the government did not explain if the bridge would be brought down, or at least repaired. Officiating Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur Elizabeth Ngully issued the order on Thursday, June 15. The administration said to have undertaken a joint verification to assess the condition of the bridge and have found it to be in a state of “brink of collapse”.    

“…as per the joint verification carried out by the Dimapur district administration, commissioner of Police, Executive Engineer of Public Works Department (Roads & Bridges) Dimapur on the 25th June 2015 regarding the condition of the RCC steel girder bridge near CIHSR (Referral) Hospital…” the administration said.

“…it is found that the bridge originally designed for class-B loading single lane constructed in the year 1986 is on the brink of collapse any time without warning which will result in the loss of lives”.

The notice is issued in the interest of public safety and is for strict compliance, the authorities said. “Hence, notice is hereby issued in the interest of public safety that henceforth the bridge will be closed for public usage immediately with effect from 26th June 2015 from 12 PM onwards.

All traffic (light motor vehicles as well as heavy vehicles) are to use the Patkai-New Showba road till an alternate arrangement is made by the concerned department.

In April this year, the Public Works Department of Dimapur had warned commuters of deteriorated steel girders holding the bridge and said the bridge was no longer safe for use.
In a press release issued by the division, the department had washed its hands off the case stating that the division ‘should not be held responsible for any eventuality or disaster’.

According to the press release, a rebuilding project amounting to Rs. 49 Lakh was prepared for ‘strengthening’ the bridge but the state government of Nagaland had not responded.

While stating the bridge required immediate repairs, the division had said that ‘in the event of any eventuality/disaster occur the division should not be held responsible’.

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