John Wilbert & Vikramaditya
Swadesh Nagar, June 11: The residents of Swadesh Nagar Gram Panchayat in Middle Andaman District have expressed their frustration with a private company operating under the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL) for the prolonged delay in reconstructing a concrete bridge over Thoratang Nallah.
The work on the bridge, which began in June 2020, was scheduled to be completed by April 2021, but it remains unfinished after four years.
The need for reconstruction arose after the Thoratang bailey bridge in Middle Andaman collapsed on June 12, 2019, when two loaded trucks belonging to NHIDCL contractors attempted to cross it simultaneously. After nearly a month, the bridge was repaired by NHIDCL contractors, only to collapse again within 10 hours of its reopening on July 11, 2019. As a result, people had to rely on a longer route, using the TV Kulam Bailey Bridge to travel between Billyground and Thoratang.
Efforts were made to construct another temporary but sturdy bridge using hume pipes, which was opened with restrictions in November 2019. Additionally, NHIDCL constructed a massive RCC Hume Pipe Culvert over Thoratang Nallah in September 2019, allowing for the smooth flow of ATR (Andaman Trunk Road) traffic, benefiting the public and local businesses.
However, the presence of the hume pipe culvert has led to frequent flooding during heavy rainfall, causing inconvenience for nearby villagers due to blockages. During a visit to the Thoratang Bridge in Swadesh Nagar, Andaman Sheekha reporter discovered that work progress has been below expectations, making it unlikely to complete the project within the next six months.
The site requires significant earth filling and peripheral work remains untouched, highlighting the slow pace of work by the NH4 company. This delay has caused immense frustration among the local population, potentially leading to public agitation.
Mr. Debabrata Das, the Pradhan (Head) of the Gram Panchayat Swadesh Nagar, expressed the village’s grievances regarding the waterlogging issues faced during the rainy season. He urged the administration and NHIDCL to prioritize the completion of the bridge as soon as possible.
According to Mr. Das, major construction work on the bridge was completed a month ago, with only earth filling, plastering, and painting remaining. The approach roads on both sides have been levelled with soil filling, but all work was abruptly halted last month. This bridge holds significant importance for the ATR route, connecting North Andaman to Middle Andaman and South Andaman.
He said that due to poor maintenance, the present hume pipe bridge frequently experiences blockages, leading to flooding in nearby villages during heavy rainfall. The flooding has severely affected Ward 03, 04, 05, and 06, including the primary school in Swadesh Nagar, impacting around 200 families.
