Harang river bridge collapses, 5k residents stranded in Barak Valley

Silchar: A footbridge over the Harang river in Borkhola’s Rong Ghar-Bhangarpar stretch collapsed late on Sunday night, severing a crucial link for more than 5,000 residents and raising concerns over infrastructure safety in the Barak Valley.According to local accounts, several people were on the bridge when it gave way amid heavy rain and strong winds. Some reportedly jumped into the river and swam to safety. No casualty have been reported so far.Residents said the bridge had been in a dilapidated condition for days, with damaged poles and visible structural weakness. Despite repeated complaints and memoranda submitted to the district administration, no repair work or alternative arrangements were made.“The condition of the bridge was alarming. We informed the circle officer and the DC multiple times, but nothing was done. Last night’s storm led to the collapse. One person fell into the river but survived. Now Rong Ghar is completely cut off,” said a local youth.The bridge served as a vital daily route for commuters, including students of Bikrampur Higher Secondary School and residents of nearby Sonapur, who relied on it as the shortest connection to Borkhola and adjoining areas. Locals also alleged that the structure, though meant for pedestrians, was frequently used by two-wheelers, auto-rickshaws, and even small four-wheelers.The latest incident follows a series of similar infrastructure failures in the region, including the collapse of the Harang bridge at Bhangarpar in Aug 2025 and the Anipur bridge over the Singla river in Sribhumi earlier this year.Locals claimed the footbridge had been constructed under MPLADS funds during the tenure of former Silchar MP Sushmita Dev.With the bridge now gone, residents have demanded immediate restoration of connectivity, a thorough probe into alleged negligence, and urgent steps to prevent further such incidents.