Imphal: Forest, environment and climate change minister Awangbow Newmai on Monday inspected the work progress of the reconstruction of the Irang Bailey Bridge near Taobam village, Noney district on the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37), a lifeline for Manipur people.
Newmai told reporters that a team of National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) and 52 Engineer Regiment of the Indian Army are working hard to restore the bailey bridge at the earliest.
He said he was happy to see the collaboration work progress by the team and added that he has been given assurance to complete reconstruction work by November 13 and the bridge will be opened for the public by November 14.
He said chief minister N. Biren Singh on Sunday spoke to the Union minister of transport and appealed for the early restoration of the Irang Bailey Bridge and also demanded for construction of RCC bridge over the Irang river. He said he is informed that although sanction has been given for the construction of RCC bridge, there is delay due to non-availability of bidders after the tender process.
He said that Biren has also instructed the NHIDCL to complete the reconstruction work at the earliest.
Hoping that the team working on the restoration of the Irang Bridge will be able to complete the work on time, he said already 70-80 percent of the raw materials have reached the site from the Tengnoupal district. The installation work of the bailey bridge will begin on this dayas soon as the final raw materials will reach the site from Tengnoupal today, he added.
Stating that the collapse of the Irang Bridge has disturbed the normal transport of the essential commodities by the truckers, he hoped that the bridge will be once again functional.
Around 62-70 people of the 52 Engineer Regiment, stationed at the 57 Mountain Division Headquarters, Leimakhong, are halting at Khongsang village for the past 4-5 days for the restoration of the Irang Bailey Bridge. The engineers and labourers are working till 9-10 pm daily. It may be recalled that Irang Bridge snapped on Novemeber in the middle plunging a tipper into Irang River, in which the driver of the tipper lost his life.
Stating that various programmes will be undertaken along the National Highway including road widening, he said due to the Covid pandemic work progress is affected although he has requested the NHIDCL to fill the potholes along the National Highway and maintain the road condition.
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