tangla bridge
Photo: Northeast Now

The common people and traders of Tangla town are reeling under great crisis owing to the closure of Tangla-Bhergaon Road in light of the construction of a new bridge over River Naika at Tangla town in Udalguri district of Assam.

Also read: Assam: Udalguri commuters irked over road closure for bridge construction

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The bridge was dismantled on November 27 last. The one-way bridge built long back had caused great trouble to commuters and heavy vehicles owing to which a new bridge was sanctioned.

The closure of the road has caused great trouble to the people who are now, despite having alternate ways, are using a railway bridge to cross the river mostly, school children and traders.

The contractor has miserably failed to start any kind of construction work even after passing of more than a month. A public representation was also submitted under the banner of Human Rights Forum, a Tangla based NGO to the Deputy Commissioner, Udalguri for providing a sub-way or footbridge for commuters following which the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Udalguri vide communication (UAI-5/2018/3561) has asked the Executive Engineer, PWD, Roads and Building Division; and Circle Officer, Harisinga Revenue Circle, Tangla to take necessary steps for construction of the foot bridge-subway for the greater interest of the people of the area.

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President of Human Rights Forum, Tangla, Sailen Kumar Sharma has filed a petition under section 431 IPC (Mischief by injury to public road, bridge, navigable river, or navigable channel and rendering it impassable or less safe for travelling or conveying property) before the Deputy Commissioner, Udalguri praying for necessary action against the foul players at the earliest.

The traders’ legitimate demand of foot bridge holds significance as the rail-bridge which has been posing threat to life of the commuters will witness more number of express trains in light of inauguration of Bogibeel Bridge.

The president of Human Rights Forum, Sharma alleged that as per provision of clause 1.12 of Assam Land Policy 1989 no land can be settled from the bank of river, but in case of the proposed bridge it is witnessed that some unscruplous persons in unholy nexus with the public servants has illegally enchroached the entire river bank .

Sharma also exhorted the district administration, Udalguri to clear the encroachments.