Devastating 16-Wheeler Crash Destroys Iconic Iron Bridge in Gandacherra, Leaving One Injured
Agartala, 19th October 2024: A calamitous incident occurred in the Gandacherra sub-division on Saturday when a heavily loaded 16-wheeler lorry traversing the Sharma River’s iron bridge precipitated its collapse, plunging into the river below. This unfortunate event resulted in serious injuries to Chittaranjan Biswas, who was on the bridge when disaster struck. Biswas, a resident of the 60 Cards area, was promptly rescued by locals and received medical attention at Gandacherra Sub-Divisional Hospital.
The bridge, a crucial artery connecting the 60 and 30 Cards areas, has been a longstanding concern for residents who have advocated for its replacement with a more robust concrete structure. Despite the Public Works Department embarking on such a project five years ago, progress has been disappointingly slow, with contractor Rajib Prasad completing less than half of the construction, well beyond its intended deadline.
The lorry, identified by registration number TR01AT-1860, was loaded with stones bound for the 30 Cards area. The excessive weight placed a fatal strain on the iron bridge, which was designed to withstand only 10 tons, causing it to fail. An official from the Public Works Department confirmed the vehicle was grossly overloaded, raising questions about regulatory compliance and suggesting imminent legal actions against the responsible parties.
This incident has severed a key transport link between Gandacherra and Amarpur, significantly disrupting the daily lives of local commuters, notably students from Gandacherra College. In response, repair efforts on the iron bridge are expected to conclude within a week, but the incident has intensified demands for the expedited completion of the half-finished concrete bridge to avert future tragedies.
Local residents are urging swift action, emphasizing the necessity of both immediate repairs and more enduring solutions to bolster infrastructure safety in the region.
Original Story https://tripurachronicle.in/local-news/16-wheeler-truck-crash-collapses-iron-bridge-at-gandacherra-one-injured/
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