Cachar Bridge Collapses Weeks After Repair, Sparks Outrage

In a shocking incident at Bhangarpar on the Silchar-Kalain connecting road in Assam's Cachar district, a newly repaired bridge over the Harang River collapsed in the wee hours, plunging two fully loaded stone-carrying dumpers into the river below. The collapse has triggered widespread panic and raised serious concerns over corruption and poor-quality repair work.

The incident occurred just a month after the bridge underwent repairs, allegedly costing ₹1.3 crore. Locals allege that substandard materials were used in the repair work and blame the contractor and the Public Works Department (PWD) for large-scale corruption and negligence. “The bridge couldn’t even last a month. It speaks volumes about the quality of the construction,” said a resident.

The collapse happened when two dumpers, laden with stones, were attempting to cross the bridge. The structure gave way mid-span, sending both vehicles into the river. Thankfully, no casualties have been reported so far.

The bridge is a critical link between Silchar and Kalain, and also serves as a vital connector for the Barak Valley region with Guwahati and other northeastern states, including Tripura, Mizoram, and Manipur. The incident has left large areas of the district effectively cut off, causing massive disruption in transport and emergency services.

In the aftermath, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has been deployed to the site to assess the situation and initiate rescue and recovery operations. Authorities are yet to issue an official statement, but public outrage continues to mount.

Local residents have demanded a high-level probe into the collapse and immediate action against those responsible for the substandard repair work. As communication remains disrupted and economic activities come to a standstill, the incident has highlighted glaring lapses in infrastructure oversight in one of Assam’s most crucial transit corridors.

Also Read: Pune Bridge Collapse: Rescue Ops Continue Overnight, Several Still Missing