Stand-in bridge at Rangchang raises safety concerns

GANGTOK, 11 July: With the old Rangchang bridge re-commissioned to span the khola where the Rs 2.7 crore new bridge constructed by Project Swastik collapsed last year within three years of inauguration, safety, especially when heavier loads move across, remains a constant worry.
Even after seven months since the bridge collapsed under circumstances which are still unclear [a committee had been constituted but the report is still awaited], no work appears on the anvil to construct a more robust bridge at the spot. The new bridge was obviously constructed because the old one was not sturdy enough for the nature of load which now traverses on this stretch. As the above photograph also amply illustrates, the re-commissioned old bridge does not evoke too much confidence. But this is the one which remains in use.
It may be recalled that 10 people were killed in a bridge collapse at Rangchang Khola, about 18 kms from Singtam towards Dikchu on the Singtam-Mangan highway, on 11 December last year. The incident took place when a 48-wheel heavy trailer engaged by the Teesta Urja company was attempting to cross the bridge. Just as the vehicle was in middle of the bridge, the entire span collapsed, taking along with it the vehicle and all inside along with 4 pedestrians. The vehicle was on its way to Chungthang from Siliguri. Teesta Urja is constructing the Teesta Stage III hydel project at Chungthang.
However, now with only the old bridge to support the heavy vehicles deployed by a number of hydel power projects up North, the debris of the collapsed bridge alongside provides an eerie reminder of what could be in store if adequate steps are not undertaken at the earliest.