Arunachal: Chief Secretary orders Bailey bridge over Kumey river

Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, on Thursday, directed the officials of the Public Works Department to ensure that there is no compromise with regards to the materials used in the construction of the Bailey bridge over Kumey River in the Kra Daadi district. The under-construction bridge had collapsed for the second time on March 28.

“Ensure that a very high standard of workmanship is maintained while carrying out the renovation of the bridge,” Kumar said, while addressing a review meeting in connection to the road connectivity to Tali, an ADC headquarters in Kra Daadi district.

The chief secretary further directed the PWD (Central Zone-A) chief engineer to visit the site and suggest technical and corrective measures to be taken while completing the vital bridge.

He also directed the department to appoint an independent agency to monitor the work and the quality of metal fabrication and steel used in the bridge’s construction.

The All Kra Daadi District Students’ Union (AKDDSU) had earlier this month demanded the state government to constitute a fact-finding committee to unearth the reasons for the collapse of the under-construction bridge.

Also read: Arunachal: Bailey bridge collapses in Dibang Valley, last town Anini cut off

Meanwhile, the PWD officials informed the chief secretary that the said bridge was under construction and around 26 arch ribs on the left bank of the bridge had collapsed due to an unforeseen thunderstorm on March 28 last. Recovery of the collapsed arch ribs have already started, they informed.

Earlier, PWD (Central Zone-A) chief engineer Hage Apa briefed the house on the status of the road to Tali, Part 1 being the 69km Talariang-Yangte-Tali road and Part 2 being the 10km Kabak-Sojam road is under the PWD. Part 1 also comprised the Kumey Bridge on the Yangte-Tali road.

The chief secretary further assured the house that the requested funds to complete the road till Tali would be made available in time.

It may be mentioned that Chief Minister Pema Khandu has promised to make a motorable road reach Tali and remote Vijaynagar in Changlang district soon.

Among others, PWD Commissioner Kaling Tayeng, commissioner to Chief Minister Sonam Chombay, Yachuli PWD SE Nani Robin and Tali executive engineer Nani Tailyang Tali were present in the meeting.