The Barak Valley now faces a serious transport problem, making the swift completion of the Gammon Bridge repair work over the Barak River even more urgent. The Harang Bridge on the Silchar-Kalain road recently broke down. Adding to the distress, an elderly woman jumped into the Barak River from a railway bridge. These events raise serious questions about when the Gammon Bridge will reopen.
Because of this worsening situation, Minister Kaushik Rai returned on Friday to check the Gammon Bridge repair work again. He stressed how important it is to meet the July 20th deadline.
Why Barak Valley Faces Travel Trouble
The Gammon Bridge, connecting Badarpur and Katigorah on National Highway 6, closed for vital repairs exactly one month ago, on May 20th. It was scheduled to be closed for two months. Initially, officials designated the Silchar-Kalain PWD road as the alternate route for big vehicles. For local people traveling between Badarpur and Katigorah, a free boat service started.
However, monsoon rains have repeatedly stopped the boat service. Therefore, many locals began using the Badarpur-Katigorah railway bridge to cross the river. This is a very risky choice.
Harang Bridge Collapse: Impact on Connectivity
The already difficult situation worsened significantly when the Harang Bridge on the Silchar-Kalain alternate road recently collapsed. The accident happened when two heavy tippers, carrying limestone, broke through the bridge and fell into the river. This incident has completely stopped internal travel within the Barak Valley. Furthermore, crucial links between the Barak Valley, the Brahmaputra Valley, and nearby states like Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura are now cut off. This causes widespread problems.
Urgent Action on Gammon Bridge
Amidst all this trouble, a sad event took place at the railway bridge. An elderly woman tried to cross the river using the railway bridge. When she saw a train coming, she reportedly jumped into the Barak River. Fire and Emergency Services personnel later rescued her; she was unconscious. This woman is currently in critical condition and receiving treatment at Silchar Medical College Hospital.
In light of these new and major problems, Minister Kaushik Rai personally inspected the Gammon Bridge repair work on Friday morning. He went with officials from the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). Minister Rai carefully reviewed the ongoing repairs. He then gave clear instructions to the department, telling them to finish the bridge work before the promised July 20th deadline.
Finishing the Gammon Bridge repair on time is now extremely important. It will help bring back vital transport routes and ease the huge pressure on the Barak Valley’s transport system and its connected areas. Everyone in the region is closely watching the progress, hoping for a quick end to the current travel crisis.
