After four months of repair work, the Road over Bridge (RoB) near DDSC Stadium here was officially reopened for public use on Sunday, bringing much-needed relief to commuters.
The structure, which had been in use for over 50 years, suffered extensive wear and tear, as could be seen with potholes and cracks. Nagaland Post had carried several stories about the deterioration of the bridge since early 2000s.
The department responsible finally took notice during 2012 over the serious nature of the damage. This was then taken up by the state government with the Centre after which fund was sanctioned for the extensive repairs in September 2024.
The evaluation conducted by CE Testing, a Kolkata-based consultancy firm, which identified two out of the total nine spans of the bridge as structurally weak and suggested their replacement.
Speaking with the Nagaland Post on Sunday, many commuters expressed happiness and relief over the reopening of the bridge.
An employee of Zion Hospital disclosed how the bridge’s closure had added significant travel time to his routine.
Auto-rickshaw drivers, who had been unable to use the bridge during repairs, also welcomed the reopening. “It was tough for us because many passengers relied on this route. Now, we can operate freely, and commuters are happy too,” said one auto driver.
With the RoB now fully operational, traffic movement in the city is expected to improve significantly, easing pressure on both commuters and traffic police personnel, ensuring smoother connectivity for residents.