A devastating incident unfolded in the mountainous region of Sairang, Mizoram, as an under-construction railway bridge spanning the Kurung River tragically collapsed on Wednesday. The calamity resulted in the loss of at least 26 lives, while two individuals sustained injuries, according to railway and police authorities.
As of the latest reports, rescue operations were in progress, with 22 bodies having been recovered thus far. Determined efforts continued to retrieve the remaining four bodies trapped beneath the twisted steel wreckage.
The ill-fated bridge formed a crucial part of the railway project connecting Bairabi, located near southern Assam, to Sairang, a town situated just 10 kilometers from the Mizoram capital, Aizawl. The accident site was approximately 21 kilometers from Aizawl.
In response to the tragedy, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) swiftly dispatched medical and engineering teams to provide critical medical assistance and aid in the ongoing recovery efforts. NFR General Manager (Construction) Sunil Kumar Jha, alongside senior officials, hastened to the scene from the NFR headquarters in Maligaon, Guwahati.
Prominent leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and several Chief Ministers from northeastern states, have expressed profound sorrow and anguish over the mishap.
Despite being overseas in Johannesburg for the BRICS Summit, Prime Minister Modi announced immediate relief measures. He authorized an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to be disbursed to the next of kin of each deceased victim. Additionally, Rs 50,000 would be provided for those injured. The Railway Minister also pledged support, offering an ex-gratia compensation of Rs ten lakh for the deceased, Rs two lakh for grievous injuries, and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries.
Mizoram’s Chief Minister Zoramthanga conveyed his deep condolences and grief in the wake of the tragedy. In a social media post, he lamented the collapse of the under-construction railway bridge and expressed solidarity with the victims’ families. He also commended the dedicated individuals who had volunteered in large numbers to assist with rescue operations.
The collapsed bridge boasted towering piers, reaching an astounding height of 104 meters. It held a pivotal role in the railway network, with Sairang railway station set to become the final railhead before reaching the capital city of Mizoram, Aizawl. The ambitious project was originally slated for completion by the end of the year and aimed to connect Aizawl with the national railway network.
The extensive railway project encompassed a 51.38 km broad-gauge railway line, complete with 32 tunnels (totaling 12.67 km), 16 cut and cover tunnels (2.58 km), and 55 major bridges, including six towering structures with heights exceeding 70 meters. An additional 87 minor bridges, five road overbridges, and eight road underbridges were also part of the ambitious undertaking.
This heart-wrenching incident underscores the critical importance of stringent safety measures and thorough risk assessment in large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly those undertaken in challenging geographical terrains.
