Damcherra, Tripura: A Bailey bridge located at Ch. 9.00 Km on the Damcherra to Khedacherra road collapsed early this morning, around 7:30 AM, following the passage of an overloaded heavy truck Number NL01-L8010, according to an official report from the Public Works Department (PWD), North Tripura.
The bridge, which was constructed to support only light to moderate vehicular traffic, gave way under the weight of the vehicle. Preliminary investigations and eyewitness accounts indicate that the truck was in gross violation of the posted load restrictions, which limit vehicles to a maximum of 8.0 metric tonnes (MT). Caution boards displaying these limits had been clearly placed at entry points near the bridge.
The collapse has led to the complete disruption of vehicular movement along this important route, severely affecting local transportation and posing risks to public safety. No casualties have been reported at the time of filing this report.
In a letter addressed to concerned authorities, the Assistant Engineer of the Damcherra Sub-Division, PWD (R&B), expressed concern over the incident, calling it a "reckless and negligent act." The official urged an immediate and thorough investigation into the cause of the collapse and called for strict enforcement of load restrictions in the future.
Authorities are now assessing the damage and exploring temporary arrangements to restore connectivity. Meanwhile, commuters and local residents have been advised to use alternative routes until further notice.
This incident has sparked renewed concerns about road safety and the enforcement of traffic regulations in the region, particularly on infrastructure designed for limited loads.
