The collapse of the metal bridge at Surai Tota on Tuesday has raised concern over the level of work efficiency and the importance accorded by the various authorities for maintaining road link and other infrastructure in strategically important areas along the sensitive Indo-Tibetan border in this part of Chamoli district in Uttarakhand.
The partially collapsed bridge was in use since it was constructed during the Indo-China conflict in 1962. On the other hand, construction of a new bridge which was started here about 15 years ago is yet to be completed with technical issues leading to the court of law where the case is presently pending.
During the winter season, snow and other factors restrict access from this area onward while in the summer season the link is open from Niti village to the last village on the Indian side near the Indo-China border. However, the condition of border roads here is reportedly not upto the mark.
Some of the bridges in this sensitive border region are said to be in a vulnerable state but so far the complete construction of new bridges has not been accomplished here so far while progress remains slow in the condition of bridges under construction.
About 15 years ago, work was started here on construction of a new bridge spanning the Dhauliganga river but the construction work has remained incomplete since technical faults resulting in disputes leading to the court of law, where it has been pending for some time now.
According to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) 123 RCC second in command officer SC Sharma, work was underway for construction of the new bridge but some technical fault resulted in the work being stalled and taken up in the court where it is presently pending.
Observers point out that while disposal of political issues appears to be comparatively swifter, when it comes to construction of bridges and infrastructure in the border region factors like red-tapism and legal procedures appear to progress at a comparatively slow rate.
At a time when Chinese authorities have consolidated rail-road links and other installations close to the edge of border on their side, the Indian side continues to rely on bridge and other facility built decades ago in 1962.
The protracted ongoing procedure has prevented construction of the new bridge from being completed, eliciting focus on the level of seriousness, resource allocations and work efficiency.