How safe is it?
The present generation, or even the past, can be excused for not knowing or being
curious at the historical label of one of Dimapur city’s most ancient—if often
ignored—landmarks.
Simply called the ‘old over-bridge’
or ‘Dimapur over-bridge’ links Burman Camp to Golaghat Road. It is assumed that
the bridge is one of the first completed bridges in northeast India region. The
structure is now in its 44th year since inauguration and perhaps even qualifies
as a heritage of modern Dimapur.
Sadly, the bridge is now picture of complete neglect and dilapidation—and almost on the verge of encroachment at its either end. There are already mud ramps being made to connect to the bridge with its side ramparts broken either by accident or intention.
The old over-bridge has been standing strong as a lifeline since its inauguration in January 1973 by then-minister Koramoa Jamir (according to a defaced plaque at the site). Today, the bridge is having its share of the negligence and infrastructural breakdown being seen throughout Nagaland.
The bridge has lost its glory to dilapidation–crumbling railings, broken ground slabs and sand on its surface.
 |
| The old, seen-but-never-noticed ‘overbridge’ linking north of Dimapur to Golaghat road has been virtually forgotten with little or no upkeep for it over the decades. |
Even though it offers vital interstate
connectivity especially for heavy passenger vehicles and cargo carriers, the
bridge remains neglected and gets inferior treatment compared to its newer
younger addition, the “new flyover”, which is located a few metres down south.
The old over-bridge also serves
as a vital link not only within the town but forms part of the main highway exchange
for Assam, Nagaland, and Manipur. It was originally part of the earlier
National Highway 39 that connected Numaligarh in Assam to Moreh in Manipur
passing through Nagaland.
Today, with new infrastructure coming up, the old over-bridge is in utter neglect and its history forgotten let alone even to receive a touch-up. According to citizens the bridge was built somewhere during the ‘60s. It is a huge marker for the commercial city’s history.
A trader residing close to the over-bridge said that since the time he can remember, the bridged, ‘the oldest and the first bridge of the state,’ had not received any kind of development but was now suffering.
Strangely, the bridge remains without an overseeing as Eastern Mirror tried to reach the state PWD department and the Border Road Organisation (BRO) for its initial construction data. Both washed their hands off the matter and pointed fingers at each other’s department.
Also, the current safety grade and worthiness of the bridge could not be ascertained because no data could be found from the departments and the probable agencies.
The bridge presents a picture of
disregard due to lack of repairs and manifold increase in the volume of
traffic. Although road infrastructure development works are underway in the
state, the old bridge remains untouched.
(Al Ngullie, August 25, 2016; Eastern Mirror)
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