Unsafe Disang Bridge in Sivasagar Raises Safety Concerns, Commuters Seek Urgent Replacement

Syed Khairul Hassan | Nazira

A deteriorating bridge over the Disang River on the Sepon–Sunpura road in Sivasagar district has become a major safety concern, with commuters facing daily risks and long delays as authorities continue to restrict traffic on the aging structure.

The bridge, constructed between 1972 and 1975 during the tenure of late Mahmora MLA Durgeswar Saikia, has suffered extensive structural damage over the years. On January 16, 2022, a portion of its northern end collapsed, prompting authorities to install a temporary Bailey bridge to restore connectivity.

Although a new bridge was sanctioned soon after the collapse, construction remains incomplete more than four years later.

Meanwhile, the condition of the old bridge has worsened. A guard wall at the opposite end has collapsed, forcing authorities to suspend traffic temporarily before allowing only light vehicles to use the bridge. Heavy vehicles remain prohibited due to safety concerns.

The narrow and weakened structure has also slowed traffic movement considerably. Vehicles from one direction are often required to wait until those from the opposite side have crossed, resulting in long queues and delays.

The Sepon–Sunpura road is an important transport corridor linking parts of Sivasagar and neighbouring Nagaland with Dibrugarh. The route is widely used by patients travelling to Assam Medical College and Hospital as well as by commuters heading to the northern bank of the Brahmaputra.

Local residents said the prolonged delay in completing the new bridge has left thousands dependent on an unsafe structure. They have urged the government and the concerned departments to expedite construction and provide a permanent solution before a major accident occurs.

With the monsoon intensifying, concerns have grown further as even moderate rainfall increases the vulnerability of the damaged bridge, prompting renewed calls for immediate intervention.