NONEY : Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Shri Awangbow Newmai on Monday inspected the work progress of the reconstruction of the Irang Bailey Bridge near Taobam village, Noney district on the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37), which is considered as the second lifeline of the State.Speaking to the mediapersons after interacting with the officials at the spot, Minister Awangbow Newmai said a team of National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) and 52 Engineer Regiment of the Indian Army are working hard to restore the bailey bridge at the earliest. Stating that he is happy to see the collaboration work progress by the team, he said he has been given assurance that the reconstruction work will be completed by November 13th and the bridge will be opened for the public by November 14th of this month. He further said that Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh yesterday spoke to the Union Minister of Transport and appealed for the early restoration of the Irang Bailey Bridge and also demanded for construction of RCC bridge over the Irang river. He said he is informed that although sanction has been given for the construction of RCC bridge, there is delay due to non-availability of bidders after the tender process. He said that Chief Minister has also instructed the NHIDCL to complete the reconstruction work at the earliest.Hoping that the team working on the restoration of the Irang Bridge will be able to complete the work on time, he said already 70-80 percent of the raw materials have reached the site from the Tengnoupal district. The installation work of the bailey bridge will begin today as soon as the final raw materials will reach the site from Tengnoupal today, he added.Stating that the collapse of the Irang Bridge has disturbed the normal transport of the essential commodities by the truckers, he hoped that the bridge will be once again motorable/functional by November 14th of this month.It is worth mentioning that around 62-70 people of the 52 Engineer Regiment, stationed at the 57 Mountain Division Headquarters, Leimakhong, are halting at Khongsang village for the past 4-5 days for the restoration of the Irang Bailey Bridge. The engineers and labourers are working till 9-10 pm daily. It may be recalled that Irang Bridge snapped on Novemeber in the middle plunging a tipper into Irang River, in which the driver of the tipper lost his life.Stating that various programmes will be undertaken along the National Highway including road widening, he said due to the COVID pandemic work progress is affected although he has requested the NHIDCL to fill the potholes along the National Highway and maintain the road condition. Minister Awangbow Newmai was accompanied by Shri Napoleon Rongmei, District Forest Officer (DFO), Noney, Shri Ningshem Vashum, SP, Noney among others. (DIPR)