KANGPOKPI, January 17: Thousand of people in as many as 32 villages under Makokching District Council Constituency under Saikul AC have been facing tremendous hardships as the only connectivity Saikul-Makokching suspension bridge is decaying since the last two-three years.
The 40-year old bridge constructed over the Iril River serves as a key component of the road leading to Saikul hill town from various villages under Makokching DCC besides being the only lifeline of the local populace.
Member of District Council Thongjalun Mate along with eight most affected village chiefs inspected the decaying bridge this morning to take stock of the situation so as to draw attention of the concerned authorities.
Pillars of the two towers and the wooden floor of the 200 feet long suspension bridge are in a position of crumbling anytime while the pairs of main suspension cables stretching over the two towers are severely decayed, posing a serious threat to the local populace particularly students and farmers of the area.
Speaking to media persons on the sideline of the inspection visit, Makokching VA Member Sonmang who is also the local ex-MDC, said that the suspension bridge was constructed in the late 1970s by the then Special Contractor Baruni while the initial foundation stone was laid by the then Works Minister RK Thikho.
“It serves as the key connectivity for more than 32 villages under Makokching DCC to the outside world for the past many years since its inception and till now it is the only lifeline of the people living in the area” maintained the ex-MDC, adding that the local people feel deeply pain on seeing the decaying condition of the bridge.
He pointed out that among many other villages H. Jangnomphai, Moljol, Maojang, NG.Phainom, Songphelkholen, Tengkonphai, Tusam and Makokching were the eight worse affected villages due to the deteriorating condition of the bridge as heavy and loaded vehicles have been restricted to use the bridge.
The ex-MDC further narrated that no maintenance or repairing work had been taken up by the concerned authorities since its inauguration for public use.
He claimed that the wooden floor of the bridge was repaired with funds from the local MLA and assistance of the village chiefs.
He went on to point out that the village authority in the area hoisted red flag on both end of the bridge as a warning signal, forbidding heavy vehicles from using the bridge.
Many vehicles met accident and several got injured due to the bad condition and absent of bar in the bridge, he lamented.
He urged the concerned authorities to take up speedy measures to repair the dilapidated bridge at the earliest before any undesirable incident occurs thereof.