Construction of the 270-metre RCC bridge at Dwar Ksuid in Ri-Bhoi was yet to go through a major step i.e. financial tendering, for which the government will open the bids on March 24. “The contract work will be awarded to the lowest bidder once the financial bid is open,” a senior official said on Tuesday.
According to this official, the NHAI had invited the tender for this project in two bid systems – technical and financial bid. Earlier, the NHAI had shortlisted two contractors for the project after opening of the technical bid.
It was also informed that the contractor who will be awarded this project will get one-year deadline to complete the new RCC bridge at Dwar Ksuid.
Recently, Umroi legislator George B Lyngdoh, on the floor of the state Assembly, had aired concern over the delay in awarding contract for the construction of the new bridge.
He had pointed out that all vehicles are now using the existing bridge since the Bailey bridge has been totally damaged.
He had even alleged that the damage suffered by the Bailey bridge was the result of no regulation to prevent plying of overloaded trucks. “We are aware that the existing bridge is no longer safe since it had developed cracks. I fear that there could be major disaster if we continue to allow vehicles to ply through this existing bridge,” the MLA had stated.
