The Bailey bridge over Sengmai River, which connects Kakching Wairi and Chumnang, has been an important lifeline for the public. It also serves as the link road for Padma Ratana English School, Kha Manipur College, and ITI Kakching students. However, due to poor construction, the bridge has been left incomplete, and the approach roads on both ends remain in a deplorable condition, stated Romesh Naorem, Secretary of United Youth Progressive Organisation (UNYPO), Kakching Chumnang Leikai.
Taking an inspection at the site, he stated that negligence from the authorities concerned has made daily commuting extremely difficult, causing constant hardship to the people.
Because of this, the bridge not only needs proper reconstruction but also requires the construction of strong retaining walls on both sides of the road to ensure durability. If these works are neglected, the incomplete approach road will collapse, cutting off connectivity in the area, Romesh Naorem added.
He further said that although the bridge has been assumed “completed,” it is in a very fragile state. The screws at certain points are loose, and the work has not been done properly, leading to visible gaps. Moreover, the sharp turning point on the Chumnang side of the bridge has become a “zero corner,” making it highly accident-prone. Already, there have been incidents where school-going children and daily commuters have met with accidents while crossing this risky spot. If the matter is left unattended, it could even lead to loss of lives.
Romesh appealed to the concerned local MLA and government departments to immediately inspect the site and take up necessary reconstruction work. He stressed that funds from the government must be utilized transparently, and the bridge, along with the approach road, must be rebuilt properly to ensure the safety and convenience of the people in the future.
