Mon-Namtola Bridge dismantling underway, to replace with new Baily Bridge

February 4, 2024 22 Views No Comment

• Alternate route via Namtola Charali (Assam)-Lahdoigarh-Jaboka-Pentom Junction
• DC Mon appeals all to strictly abide by tonnage capacity of the bridge at alternate route

MON, FEBRUARY 4 (MExN): National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) team in co-ordination with District Administration Mon and other stakeholders is getting ready for launching of a new Baily Bridge to replace existing decades old Mon-Namtola Bridge between Mon and Charaideo district of Assam.

To begin with, the NHIDCL team along with District Administration and civil society members reached the location and commenced the dismantling work on February 1, 2024, a press release issued by the District Administration, Mon stated on Saturday.

In this regard, office of the Deputy Commissioner, Mon had issued a public travel advisory on January 29 informing that till the launching of the new Bailey Bridge, small, medium and all kind of passenger vehicles will be routed through an alternate route via Namtola Charali (Assam)-Lahdoigarh-Jaboka-Pentom Junction (Tizit/Mon).

Four months or by May 31, 2024 is the tentative timeframe for completing the new Bailey bridge.

The advisory informed that due to the dilapidated condition of the existing bridge and frequent incidents of damages in recent past, the matter was taken up for consultation with the Legislators of Mon district, NHIDCL team, technical departments, civil society members and other relevant stakeholders under Mon district and it was decided that launching of a new Bailey Bridge is the only feasible option for ensuring smooth and hassle-free interstate road connectivity during the upcoming monsoon season.

Accordingly, a project for launching of a new Bailey Bridge was finalised by NHIDCL team in co-ordination with the Garden Reach Shipbuilders Engineers Ltd (GRSE), Kolkata. After conducting technical survey by GRSE and soil testing, the machinery and man power have been mobilised at location since February 1, 2024, the press release highlighted.

Further it was also informed that the existing Mon-Namtola road which is the lifeline for Mon district in terms of public transport and interstate connectivity is under special maintenance and repair by NHIDCL. In previous years also, this road stretch has always been the top of Government of Nagaland’s priority led by Legislators and adequate efforts has been made by District Administration with the help of technical department, civil societies and other stakeholdersto make it better within the available resources and provisions, it claimed.

It said that the Mon-Namtola road, including the Namtola Bridge was under the charge of the PWD (NH), Mon Division. On May 26, 2023, the charge was handed over to the NHIDCL on “special recommendation” of the state Minister for Health and Family Welfare, P Paiwang Konyak, who represents the 41 Tizit Assembly seat, “for maintenance, repair and improvement work
The NHIDCL is executing the work “in continuation of the ongoing special maintenance and repair work of the road stretch.” As the work will require new foundations, it said that the construction period would tentatively take 4 months.

It meanwhile sought the support and cooperation of the general public, civil society organisations, transport bodies, industrial units, commuters and other stakeholders. Considering the limited load bearing capacity of the bridge at the alternate route, it appealed the commuters to strictly abide by the “tonnage capacity of the bridge” for the safety of all.