File Image: Sadarghat Bridge all prepared for Namami Barak

One lane of Sadarghat Barak Bridge to remain shut for 7 days; flight passengers advised to leave early

By barakbulletin On April 25, 2018 - 5:15 pm

The only bridge that connects Silchar to Airport, Mahasadak and many other important roads, Barak Bridge in Sadarghat area will have one lane shut for seven days starting April 26, 2018. At the start of the bridge, while travelling from Silchar towards Rangpur there is a huge pit which needs immediate renovation. For the same, the PWD has issued a notification which states that only one lane will be available for commuters for a span of five days.

“Due to the sudden damage at Deck Slab of second span (Silchar side), near expansion joint on Barak Bridge at Sadarghat over river Barak, and for repairing of the same, the movement of all kinds of vehicular traffic is restricted at least for seven days w.e.f April 26, 2018 to pass over the bridge to avoid any untoward incidents. However vehicular traffic in single lane near the damaged portion will be allowed to ply cautiously over the bridge,” read the issued notice.

We spoke to the PWD Engineer in-charge and he informed us that it will take a day to renovate the pit and six more days to dry and that is why a part of the lane will remain shut for seven days. During that period, all kind of vehicles will ply cautiously on one lane. The engineer said they are expecting huge traffic jams during the period.

Pinak Pani Nath, executive engineer, NH appealed to people to cooperate with PWD, “I know this will cause a lot of problems to the common people but we are left with no other options. If we do not renovate the bridge regularly, it might just collapse,” said Nath.

The bridge opened for commuters in 1967 and is not equipped to take load of the number of vehicles that run on that route, “We have leapfrogged to a different period, the number of vehicles have increased, there are trucks these days which carry way more load than what they used to in 1967 and that is why we are facing these issues every now and then,” Nath added.

The new bridge is under-construction and is expected to open for commuters in this financial year, “I have seen the progress and it’s commendable,” said Nath.

Henceforth, we urge all flight passengers to leave early with time in hand as there is a strong possibility of getting stuck in traffic jam.