Citizens take initiative to build bridge over Dikhu

December 30, 2020 103 Views No Comment

Correspondent KOHIMA, DEC 29 (NPN) : As the permanent bridge over Dikhu River in Longleng district has failed to materialise despite its foundation stone having been laid eight years back, citizens have come together to build a semi-permanent structure. Villagers of Pongching, Montikang, Chuchuyimlang and Salulamang will build the bridge.

Informing this, Temporary Bridge Construction Joint Committee convener Kongba Chungphang told Nagaland Post that every year villagers and village councils of Pongching and Montikang together construct temporary bridges, to which villagers from neighbouring Chuchuyimlang and Salulamang provide assistance too. Now, he said well-wishers too have joined the initiative by donating cash towards constructing the new bridge.

Chungphang explained that temporary structure of Gabion cage metal rod and 20 feet 6 inches MSH beam for horizontal structure and timber would be used for the 160-feet long and 8-feet wide bridge.

He said the bridge would be 50% metal and 50% wooden. According to him, the initiative was taken to make the State government realise the plight of the people, who are suffering for not constructing a proper bridge, which also leads to Mon and Tuensang districts.

Chungphang said local legislator and minister Pangnyu Phom donated Rs. 1 lakh for the bridge construction and assured more donations, while DUDA adviser N. Bongkhao Konyak also assured to assist.

He admitted that the bridge might not withstand the fury of monsoon, but maintained that all possible efforts would be made to ensure that the structure lasts till early monsoon. So far, the committee has collected about Rs 1,80,000 from different individuals and continues its appeal to all, especially travellers passing through the temporary bridge from various districts, for generous donation. It may be recalled that then PWD (R&B) minister and current Agriculture minister, G Kaito Aye laid the foundation stone for a 40-metre RCC bridge over Dikhu river in 2012 in the presence of then parliamentary secretary and current Health minister S Pangnyu Phom.

Chungphang claimed that work order for constructing the bridge was issued to a non-Naga contractor in 2012. However, due to some differences between the State government and the contractor, construction of the bridge never took off. However, even after lapse of eight years, there is no indication that construction of the bridge would take off in the near future, thereby making lives of the citizens of Longleng district very miserable, especially in times of medical emergency.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/citizens-take-initiative-to-build-bridge-over-dikhu/226669.html