NE region continues to remain cut off

Silchar, May 5 (UNI) Road connectivity from Tripura, Mizoram, Asom's Barak Valley area and parts of Manipur remained disconnected from the rest of the country since the past six days, BRTF officials said here today.

The movement of traffic was suspended on NH-44 since Monday, because of the damaged bailey bridge over Baleswar river at Malidahar in Cachar district of Asom.

The Border Road Task Force's 97 RCC Commander D N Keshari today said, ''The bailey bridge repair work has been taken up and I hope that the connectivity would be soon be revived within the next four or five days.'' A foot bridge had been constructed beside the damaged bridge to facilitate the transport of passengers and goods, he added.

Mr Keshari said all necessary equipment had been gathered for repair of the bridge and work had been going on a war-footing to complete it as soon as possible.

The closure of the national highway, connecting Silchar with Guwahati via Shillong, almost considered as the lifeline of this part of NE, has caused tremendous suffering for the common people.

Although the administration has instructed the traders to maintain their normal prices, the price of vegetables have sky-rocketted in the region's markets.

Hundreds of trucks and buses have been stranded on both sides of the bridge near the Asom-Meghalaya border.

UNI