Kiphire deputy commissioner (DC) Mohammed Ali Shihab visited the site of collapsed bridge over Tsutha river on Wednesday. The bridge had earlier connected Kiphire and Zunehboto districts, and had collapsed owing to heavy water flow in 2015.
Later speaking to this correspondent, the DC sounded optimistic when he said that a bailey bridge was being constructed by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and that it was likely to be completed by November-end this year. He, however, admitted that Kiphire required a permanent RCC bridge that could weather all conditions. During his visit, Shihab interacted with the BRO junior engineer Sunny Singh at the site, who assured the DC that the bridge would be completed by November-end as 40% of the construction work was over. Shihab said as the Tsutha bridge connected Kiphire and Zunehboto and as Kiphire seemed more vulnerable, priority had to be given to the bridge.
Kiphire is connected to Zunehboto, Meluri, and Tuensang directly by three different roads, but in the period from July to September this year, it was completely cut off by landslides near Meluri and Yahi bridge area, besides due to the collapsed bridge over Tsutha river.
According to DC, a report on the collapsed Tsutha river bridge was submitted to the department concerned in August this year and that, in response to this, the commanding officer of BRO had promised to quickly make a bailey bridge.
The major landslide between Tuensang and Kiphire is still to be cleared and commuters now have to cross the river at present. Earth is being cut near Yahi bridge, which has been initiated by advisor L Khumo, so that the road could be reopened quickly.