Assam Bridge Collapse Injures Four Pedestrians, Damages Five Vehicles
A critical Bailey bridge spanning the Singla river in Assam's Sribhumi district collapsed dramatically on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in injuries to at least four pedestrians and significant damage to five vehicles. The incident occurred at Anipur on the Ramkrishna Nagar–Sribhumi PWD Road, severing a vital transportation artery and triggering immediate protests from frustrated local residents.
Excessive Load Causes Structural Failure
According to official reports, the catastrophic failure happened when two sand-laden dumpers attempted to cross the bridge simultaneously. The middle section of the structure gave way under what authorities described as excessive load, plunging both dumpers, two passenger cars, and a mini truck into the river below.
Local residents and police personnel worked together to rescue four injured pedestrians from the water, rushing them to Ramkrishna Nagar Government Hospital where they are currently receiving medical treatment. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported from the incident.
Connectivity Crisis During Examination Period
The bridge collapse has created severe transportation disruptions between parts of Ramkrishna Nagar and Sribhumi and Hailakandi towns. This connectivity crisis comes at a particularly inconvenient time, affecting commuters during the ongoing High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) and Higher Secondary (HS) examinations.
Sribhumi District Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Dwivedi, who visited the accident site, revealed that the two dumpers involved were allegedly overloaded and engaged in Bharatmala project work. "This excessive loading may have contributed significantly to the structural failure," Dwivedi stated.
Immediate Relief Measures Announced
To address the immediate transportation crisis, Commissioner Dwivedi announced that boats would be arranged on both sides of the Singla river to facilitate people movement. Additionally, authorities plan to construct a temporary bamboo bridge while arrangements are made for a permanent replacement structure.
"We will take up this matter urgently with the concerned minister to ensure swift resolution," Dwivedi assured residents and commuters affected by the collapse.
Political Response and Public Outcry
Ratabari MLA Bijoy Malakar also visited the accident site as local residents staged protests, voicing their frustration over what they described as administrative apathy. Protesters alleged that the bridge had been in a dangerously dilapidated condition for an extended period, with authorities failing to address maintenance concerns.
The bridge collapse has highlighted infrastructure vulnerabilities in the region while disrupting daily life and critical examination schedules. Authorities now face the dual challenge of providing immediate transportation alternatives while planning for long-term infrastructure improvements.
