“Is the SDRF Boat for Display?” MP Sushmita Dev Questions Admin Silence on Bhangarpar Bridge Collapse

It has been more than 15 days since the administration promised to build a Bailey bridge at the site of the collapsed Harang Bridge, but no such bridge is visible on the ground. Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev has raised serious concerns, pointing to Barak Valley’s complete disconnection from other parts of the state as the main reason for the delay.

The Harang Bridge collapsed on 18 June after two stone-laden dumpers, reportedly exceeding the weight limit, tried to cross it. The sudden collapse caused panic among locals and raised questions about the region’s connectivity and safety. That same evening, DC Cachar Mridul Yadav assured the public that a Bailey Bridge would be built within 15 days — 5 days for the bridge parts to arrive from Ranchi, and another 10 days for construction. However, despite this public assurance, no work has begun yet.

Unfortunately, a temporary bamboo bridge was also washed away due to the river’s strong currents. Following this, MP Sushmita Dev visited the site, spoke with affected locals, and posed several critical questions to the administration and state government.

Speaking to the media, Sushmita Dev questioned, “Why has the Bailey Bridge not arrived yet? Because Barak Valley is completely cut off. Trains are not running, the route to Guwahati is closed, the Meghalaya route is blocked, the highway is shut, and now this road is gone too. How is the Bailey Bridge supposed to come in this situation?” She criticised the state’s claims of development, saying, “We see the Chief Minister’s photo everywhere in the name of development, but what has actually reached Barak? Nothing.”

She also pointed out that the Valley has two Cabinet Ministers as in-charge — Pijush Hazarika and Jayanta Malla Baruah — yet none of them has visited the site. She said, “Isn’t it their responsibility to at least ensure an SDRF boat is made available to help the villagers cross the river?” According to locals, they are currently forced to pay Rs. 10 per person to use private boats. While an SDRF boat is stationed at the site, it is reportedly not available for general public use.

“Who is using the SDRF boat then? Are they waiting for someone to drown before using it? Is that what it’s for?” the MP asked sharply. She said the current situation shows how helpless the villagers are, and highlighted that providing the SDRF boat to the public should have been the minimum support from the administration. She added, “If someone dies while trying to cross the river, will it be the CM’s responsibility or the district administration’s?”

This route through Harang was already a diversion, as the main Katigorah Gammon Bridge on National Highway 6 is currently under repair. Ironically, the Harang Bridge itself had just been repaired before the collapse. Despite its 40-tonne weight limit, it was being used by dumpers weighing close to 70 tonnes — a clear violation of safety norms. The collapse of this newly repaired bridge has once again exposed serious lapses in monitoring, enforcement, and planning by the administration.

The absence of the promised Bailey Bridge, coupled with a complete lack of communication from the government, has left residents in a state of uncertainty and growing frustration. With no updates on how or when the situation will be resolved, the region’s immediate future remains under a veil of mystery.