Nation

Mizoram (August 23,2023) : At least 17 people were killed and several others injured after an under-construction railway bridge collapsed in Mizoram on Wednesday. The accident happened near the Sairang/Sihmui railway station, around 25 km from Aizawl. The bridge was being constructed by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR). The cause of the collapse is not yet known, but it is believed that strong winds may have played a role. The deceased workers were from different districts of Mizoram. They were working on the bridge when it collapsed. The injured have been taken to a nearby hospital.

The NFR has ordered an inquiry into the accident. The Chief Minister of Mizoram, Zoramthanga, has expressed deep sadness over the loss of lives and has ordered the authorities to provide all possible assistance to the affected families. The collapse of the under-construction railway bridge is a major setback for the NFR. The bridge was being constructed as part of the North East Railway's (NER) plan to develop railway connectivity in the region.

The NER has been facing a number of challenges in the construction of railway projects in the Northeast. These challenges include inaccessibility, difficult terrain, and frequent landslides. The collapse of the under-construction railway bridge is a reminder of the challenges that the NER faces in the construction of railway projects in the Northeast. The NER needs to take steps to address these challenges in order to ensure the safety of workers and the timely completion of railway projects in the region.