Chubi to be second longest in Asia
Emilo Khuvung
Doyang | June 29
Nagaland will be on the map for having the second longest Bailey bridge in Asia, at Doyang Hydro Project area, once the North Eastern Electrical Project Corporation (NEEPCO) completes the construction work of the Chubi Bridge by the month of July, 2010.
The Chubi Bridge, which is now under rapid construction about thirty kilometers away from Wokha town, connects two hills and is built over the Doyang Hydro Project reservoir. Once it is completed, the 600 feet Chubi Bridge will become the second longest Bailey bridge in Asia.
The Bailey bridge is a portable pre-fabricated truss bridge, actually designed for use by military engineering units to bridge gaps. However, civil engineering is also using this kind of bridge especially in the hilly regions. Speaking with this correspondent, General Manager of NEEPCO, Ranjat Sharma and Manager (Electrical) Senka Patton disclosed that the corporation has taken up construction of this bridge to maintain communication links between people of both the banks of the reservoir.
The villagers of Sungro range under Wokha district and also some villages from the Mokokchung and Zunheboto district areas would be greatly benefited as the bridge, once completed, will shorten the route to Dimapur-via-Merapani by 50-60 kilometers. It is reported that the foundation was laid more than nine years ago. But due to technical problems the construction could not be carried out and the project finally began last April. “Due to the monsoon season, we could not work full time, yet by July 31, inauguration will take place” said Rajat Sharma confidently.
Sharma also said that the bridge is an eight crore project, purely funded by NEEPCO and on completion, the bridge will be handed over to the Road & Bridges department, Government of Nagaland. “The critical feature of the bridge is completed and the outer parts are left which we are trying our best to be completed by July”, said Patton. It is speculated that once the bridge is completed, it will become one of the vital points in the foot hill project being undertaken by the government of Nagaland to connect all the districts of the state through an inter-district roadway.
When contacted, Minister for Roads & Bridges, G. Kaito Aye said the R&B department is ready to start road constructions toward Dimapur- via-Merapani on completion of the Chubi Bridge. The department has a plan to construct road from Dimapur-Nuiand-Kandinu-Zunheoto to facilitate Kiphire and Tuensang for easy transportation – and help people reach Kohima in just seven hours. It is surmised that such a road system connecting the districts of the state would help in times of economic exigencies such as blockades.
Expressing deep pride over the construction of the bridge and its fast completion, NEEPCO officials informed that the corporation is also taking up community development programmes such as constructing community hall, kitchens and toilets in the neighboring villages, sports events and water supply. For 2010-2011, Patton said NEEPCO has targeted six villages for community development and approval is being awaited.
