December 07, 2018: Even though reports on immediate requirement of renovation of a bridge on Dhalai river on NH at Ambassa came up several times in media, the concerned department preferred to remain in hibernation – and as result, though no major accident took place, but the vehicular movement came to grind halt on both flanks of NH at Ambassa on Thursday.
Sources said, wheels of one loaded truck stuck on one side of the narrow iron bridge jeopardizing traffic flow on both side of the NH yesterday. After a rigorous attempt, normalcy was restored but vehicles including passenger carriers remained chocked causing distress to commuters and long distance passengers.
Last year, a portion of the approach road to the bridge on the River was away due to incessant rains and flood water snapping traffic movement. As a temporary measure, local PWD officials constructed one narrow iron-bridge over the washed away portion and restored vehicular movement along the NH.
However, despite deplorable condition of the iron-made portion and high possibility of occurring accidents, concerned authority – NH division located at Kumarghat – did not respond to people’s concern and left the bridge in lurch for last 10 months.
“Due to utter negligence of NH division officials, traffic came to standing still after wheels of a truck fell on the side of the bridge. It is good that no serious mishap has occurred so far – but the condition of iron-made portion of the bridge is too vulnerable. It needs immediate attention of concerned authority”, said a local person.