The vital bridge on the Noklak–Panso route collapsed on July 19, after heavy rain in the upstream area, snapping the road link for surrounding villages. (Morung Photo)
‘Even salt is scarce … Our people need a permanent solution,’ villagers urge
Morung Express News
Noklak | September 14
In the face of a collapsed bridge and a severed lifeline, two villages under Noklak district, did not wait for help - they built one with their own hands. More than a month after heavy rain caused the collapse of a vital bridge on the Noklak–Panso route, villagers from Lengnyu and Tsuwao in Noklak district came together to rebuild it through a community effort.
The Lein Bridge had collapsed on July 19 after heavy rain in the upstream area, snapping the road link for surrounding villages and cutting off a key lifeline for the local population.
Hundreds of people from Lengnyu and Tsuwao came together to construct a temporary wooden bridge over the Lein River and restoring connectivity for the affected areas.
With the intervention of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Noklak; Road and Bridge (R&B) Department; and village councils of Lengnyu and Tsuwao, the temporary wooden bridge was constructed within a short period of time.
The restoration work has been completed on September 12 restoring connectivity to the affected villages. The community-driven effort drew appreciation from local authorities and residents alike.
Opens for light traffic; DC Noklak urges caution
Deputy Commissioner Noklak, P Mono Khiamniungan, in a travel advisory issued on September 14, informed that the temporary restoration of the Lein Bridge. The bridge has been opened for vehicular movement in the interest of public convenience and safety.
It mentioned that the bridge is presently motorable for light vehicle only.
“All commuters, vehicle owners and drivers are advised to maintain a safe speed, avoid overloading and use the bridge with due caution and safety measures,” it stated. Further, the DC requested the public to extend their cooperation and comply with the advisory in the interest of public safety and disaster risk reduction.
In a brief interaction with The Morung Express, Village Council Chairman of Lengnyu, Sangkhoi shared that the month long restoration work of constructing the wooden bridge is the result of community participation and cooperation in the midst of challenging times.
He appreciated the concerned departments for the timely intervention. While acknowledging that the temporary bridge would serve only for a limited period, he expressed hope that the concerned departments would take necessary measures to provide a permanent solution.
VDB Secretary of Tsuwao village, Langshe, said that the road is a life line connecting the Panso EAC HQ with Noklak district Headquarter. With the bridge collapsed, he said that people in Panso has been facing immense hardships that even a basic like salt is becoming shortage.
“The temporary bridge we are constructing now may serve us for only two to three years, but our people need a permanent solution,” he said.
Meanwhile, the DDMA informed that a proposal has been sent to construct an RCC bridge to the concerned department.
