With the arrival heavy rains, one of the temporary transits over the Chathe river at 4th Mile, near Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research was completely washed away by the rising water levels and strong currents.
According to local sources, this happened at around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday. Following the main bridge’s collapse on July 11, 2017, a “hanging bridge” for pedestrians was strung across the river and eventually two temporary transits over the water were built using hume pipes. However, during Wednesday’s downpour, one of the two temporary hume pipe bridges was washed away. The pedestrian hanging bridge was still intact.
Speaking to Nagaland Post, PWD (R&B) Executive Engineer, Er. Talitemsu Jamir, who had been at the spot to take stock of the situation, said the other hume pipe bridge, downstream of the one destroyed, was also affected and may likely be washed away.
According to him, there must have been heavy rains in the hilly areas upstream also, going by the way the water level rose.
When asked about the Bailey bridge currently under construction, he said it could not be completed as per the schedule due to vehicles plying through their work areas in a hurry, impeding the workers.
Er. Tali remarked that the upstream bridge being washed away was a blessing in disguise because now the vehicles had stopped driving through the Bailey bridge work area and they could continue working in full swing.
Barring unforeseen hindrances or obstructions, he said the Bailey bridge should be good to use in four to five days.
He also added that the hume pipe bridges and the Bailey bridge were all stop-gap measures and these repeated setbacks will stop only when the RCC bridge was completed.
Meanwhile, C-Edge College, principal, Dr. Chubatola Aier expressed appreciation for the state PWD department for working consistently to make the Bailey bridge open to the public at earliest. Dr. Chubatola also expressed deep appreciation for Er. Tali and his team for being on the spot to supervise the work.
Naga United Village, Council secretary K. L Lokho, when contacted, also said that the public was eagerly looking forward to quick resolution of the issue and appreciated the department for their tireless services.