The driver of the truck that caved in over Irang River bailey bridge in Noney district, the second lifeline of Manipur is still missing.
The missing driver is identified as Khamba Singh while the rescued handyman is identified as one Raja.
The truck loaded with sand and heading towards Imphal side from Jiribam belonged to a private company engaging in the railway line construction. Only the driver and handyman were in the truck while crossing the bridge.
Meanwhile, rescue operation to trace the missing driver was in progress till the time of filing this report. Teams of drivers’ bodies from Imphal have joined the rescue operation.
Officials of the state PWD are also camped in the area to take first stock of the situation. According to the officials, it will take at least one month to 40 days to restore the collapsed bailey bridge. Besides, the materials required for the repairing are to be procured from Kolkata.
There is another bailey bridge on the same (Irang) river which can connect Jiribam with Imphal via Khoupum and Bishnupur (old Cachar road). However, the bridge is too weak to be used for crossing heavy vehicles above 20 MT, the official said.