MANGALDOI, Oct 19: All is not well concerning the Bailey bridge over Mangaldoi river here. The bridge with a 9-tonne capacity is in such a precarious state today that it may split up any moment. An eventuality of the collapse of this bridge is fraught with the danger of severing the surface communication between Upper and Lower Assam.
The bridge being on National Highway-52, assumes significance today for the Upper and Central divisions of the State. Moreover, it is also important for the neighbouring States of Nagaland and Manipur besides Arunachal Pradesh as far as road communication is concerned.
The bridge has now developed chinks in its sleepers due to heavy pressure of traffic on it. At times it has to bear the weight of trucks with more than 9-tonne loads. All these have a tremendous adverse impact on the life of the bridge.
The bridge is now 15 years old. There is a proposal of the Government of India to construct a strong Bailey bridge over the river next year. But judging by its condition, the present Bailey bridge is not in a position today to continue to survive till then.