Much to the relief of commuters depending on the Gyalpoizhing-Nganglam Highway, materials to reconstruct the Kuri-Gongri Bridge reached the site a week ago. The modular bridge is expected to be launched soon. Commuters along the eastern highway have been facing inconveniences since the bridge collapsed for the second time in June last year, drowning a couple. They have been taking longer routes including the Weringla GC road and the Assam Highway.
The Kuri-Gongri Bailey Bridge collapsed for the second time in less than a month posing inconveniences to road users. Commuters have to take longer routes which extends travel time besides incurring extra travel expenses.
After nearly eight months of waiting, materials for launching a modular bridge have finally arrived at the site. Bridge launching works are scheduled to commence next week.
Prior to commencing the works to launch the bridge, the Department of Surface Transport Office in Lingmithang conducted a Rewo Sangchoe ritual at the site yesterday. It is being performed to overcome obstacles that may arise during the work or following its completion.
“The launching works will commence from 26th of this month. We will also have a foreign expert. So, we are readying everything and even performed rituals for the successful launch,” said Kinzang Dorji, the Chief Engineer with the Department of Surface Transport in Lingmithang, Monggar.
The old bailey bridge which connects Gyalpozhing in Monggar and Nganglam in Pema Gatshel collapsed twice last year, in May and in June. The investigation report in August found that the bridge collapsed due to overloading. The two trucks that got washed away after the bridge collapsed were found to be carrying about 40 metric tonnes of loads during the time of the incidents. The bailey bridge was designed to carry only 30 metric tonnes of loads.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Phub Gyem
