Construction of bridge in SGH in limbo as quarantined labourers await clearance

TURA

Labourers who were brought to the district of South Garo Hills (SGH) are currently awaiting completion of their mandatory quarantine, after they were brought from outside the state to work on the construction of a temporary bridge in place of the one that was washed away on NH – 62.

A wooden bridge on NH-62 at Dimapara was washed away after a spell of heavy rains in the Garo Hills region more than 10 days ago. The washing away of the bridge had led to the isolation of almost the entire district.

According to the PWD, the labourers had to quarantine after arrival.

We thought of appealing to allow them to start work immediately, but as it is just a wait of another two days, we will wait it out,” said GSU Mindikgre president, Greneth Sangma.

While initially, locals were helping to push small vehicles across the stream at Dimapara for a small price, however, the feasibility of the same being continuing, in the face of goods carrying trucks needing to move was close to negligent.

While rains relented for a few days and allowed motorcycles to move through another pathway, large vehicles still faced a challenge. Another spell of rains this week led to the entire section blocked for traffic.

Passengers had to cross the stream on foot to reach the other bank before going to their destination.

Many goods and passenger vehicles were reportedly stuck in the small stream while attempting to cross over to the other side with some even requiring tow trucks to be pulled out.

The NH – 62 which runs through the entire South Garo Hills connecting East, and North Garo Hills (NGH) has been plagued mostly due to its poor condition with many temporary wooden bridges making the situation worse.