Common Platform files FIR against Teesta Urja, BRO and state authorities on Rangchang Bridge collapse

GANGTOK, 20 Dec: Members from different organizations under the banner of Common Platform for Joint Action against Ting-Ting, Tashiding and Lethang Hydro-Power Projects visited the Rangchang Bridge collapse site today. Later, the group filed a FIR against different authorities in connection with the bridge collapse at the Singtam Police Station. The FIR demands action against Teesta Urja Limited, Border Road Organisation and the related State authorities.

The FIR is jointly signed by the Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee [SIBLAC] convener, Tseten Tashi Bhutia, All Sikkim Educated Self-Employed & Unemployed Association [ASESE&UA] president, Nawin Kiran, Save Sikkim president, PR Kharga and People’s Forum for Earthquake [PFOE] coordinator, Tenzing Bhutia.
The FIR states that ‘upon our ongoing it was revealed that the bridge collapsed when a 48-wheeler heavy trailer engaged by the Teesta Urja Company attempted to cross the bridge. That, the technical specification displayed about the bridge suggests that the trailer carrying equipment of the Teesta Urja as heavily over-loaded, that caused the bridge collapse’.
It further states, ‘roadways in Sikkim are very sensitive as they are constructed along the fragile mountain, the government has also prescribed certain limits for carrying loads to all transport vehicles’.
“Hence, in this connection, we have to state that Sikkim being a sensitive border state. The Rangchang Bridge along the Singtam-Dikchu-Mangan Highway connects the border areas with China. Further, we sincerely believe M/s Teesta Urja Limited which is engaged in constructing hydro power project caused the bridge to collapse and the death of innocent people”, states the FIR.
ASESE&UA president, Mr Kiran expressed deepest condolences on behalf of the group to the families of lives lost in the incident and urged the State government to take a lesson from the incident and take strict action against those responsible.