A month after reopening, a bridge on the Silchar-Kalain Road in Assam’s Cachar district collapsed on Wednesday, plunging two overloaded trucks into the Harang River and leaving both drivers injured. The incident has caused major disruption in the area, particularly affecting residents and schoolchildren who use the bridge daily.
The bridge, a critical link connecting Assam with neighbouring Meghalaya, had only recently reopened last month after nearly two years of extensive repairs. The collapse has triggered widespread concern over the structural integrity of public infrastructure in the region.
District Commissioner Mridul Yadav has ordered a formal inquiry into the incident. “There were four checkpoints set up to prevent overloaded vehicles from crossing the bridge,” Yadav said, suggesting that lapses in enforcement could be a factor.
Senior Superintendent of Police Numal Mahatta confirmed that the injured drivers are currently receiving medical treatment. “An investigation is underway to identify what went wrong,” Mahatta added.
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In the wake of the collapse, authorities have deployed boats to help residents cross the Harang River, ensuring access to schools, markets and workplaces is not entirely cut off.
Local residents, however, have raised serious concerns about the quality of the repair work conducted on the bridge. “Poor-quality construction is to blame for this tragedy,” one villager alleged, expressing frustration at the perceived negligence.
On the other hand, Zilla Parishad member Farida Parvin Laskar pointed to the overloading of trucks as the primary cause. “The bridge was designed to handle a maximum of 40 tons. These trucks were carrying 120 to 130 tons of stones,” she said, highlighting the urgent need for stricter monitoring of freight traffic.
As the inquiry progresses, the incident has sparked debate over infrastructure safety and accountability, while residents await swift restoration of the vital transportation route.
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