NH 44 closed as bailey bridge collapses

Silchar, May 2 (UNI) Tripura, Mizoram, south Asom and parts of Manipur have been cut off from rest of the country by roads since Monday following damage of a bailey bridge on National Highway 44 at Malidahar in Cachar district of Asom.

The link is likely to be restored by next week, said BRTF's 97 RCC Commander D N Keshari.

The closure of the NH, which connects Silchar with Guwahati via Shillong, has so far taken heavy toll on transportation with the region as hundreds of trucks and buses have been stranded on both side of the bridge near Asom-Meghalaya border.

A BRTF official said repair works have been taken up on war footing to make the bridge ready for plying the vehicles.

About 50 workers have been engaged for restoration work.

BRTF sources said carrying of load beyond permissible limit through the 85 metre-long and 3.48 metre breath bailey bridge was the reason behind collapse of the same.

UNI