Dibrugarh: A section of the historic Gammon bridge over the Dikhow river in Sivasagar district collapsed in the early hours of Friday, bringing traffic on National Highway-37 to a standstill and leaving hundreds of commuters scrambling for alternative routes.According to officials, the structure gave way, causing a portion of the deck in the middle of the bridge to plunge into the river below.No casualties or accidents were reported as the collapse occurred in the pre-dawn hours.Constructed in 1963, the Gammon bridge has served the region for over six decades. However, its age has recently become a cause for concern. Authorities revealed that the bridge had shown alarming signs of structural fatigue and weakness nearly a month ago, prompting the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to initiate stabilisation work.“The bridge had been under observation due to visible structural distress. We had already deployed teams to carry out essential repairs to prevent such an occurrence, but unfortunately a section collapsed. Our immediate priority is to assess the remaining stability and find a swift solution for restoration,” a NHIDCL on-site official said.Following the collapse, local police and district administration officials rushed to the spot to cordoned off the area. With NH-37 being the busiest transit route in the region, the shutdown caused immediate traffic snarls.To manage the situation, the Sivasagar district administration has implemented an emergency traffic diversion plan. All vehicles are currently being rerouted through alternate interior roads, adding travel time for commuters and commercial transporters.Officials confirmed that repair and reconstruction plans are expected to be drawn up and initiated soon, with restoration of full connectivity on the crucial highway being the top priority.
