Imphal :  A Bailey bridge over the Tuivai River along National Highway-102B has collapsed, severely disrupting supply lines to Churachandpur and other hill districts in Manipur, officials said on Friday.

The bridge, located between Sinzawl and Khuanggin villages on the Guite Road stretch, gave way late Thursday night when two cement-laden trucks were crossing it. According to the Guite Road Chiefs’ Association (GRCA), the structure collapsed around 10:30 pm as the vehicles reached near the middle span.

The affected route is a crucial supply corridor linking Churachandpur with Aizawl, facilitating the daily movement of essential commodities from Silchar and other parts of Assam via Mizoram. The disruption is expected to significantly impact supply chains and economic activity in the region’s hill districts.

Expressing concern, the GRCA has urged authorities, including the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited and the executing contractor, to restore the bridge on a “war footing.” Officials indicated that the scale of the damage and the river’s width could affect restoration timelines.

In response, the district administration has issued a traffic advisory and directed the NHIDCL to expedite repair and replacement work. Authorities confirmed that steps are already underway to procure and install a new Bailey bridge to restore connectivity at the earliest.

Meanwhile, vehicular movement has been diverted through alternative routes, including the Sinzawl-Dialkhai-Churachandpur stretch via NH-02. Commuters have been advised to adhere to official advisories and use designated bypass routes until normal traffic resumes.

The district administration has assured the public that all necessary measures are being taken to restore the disrupted link, which remains a critical lifeline for the transportation of essential goods to the remote hill districts.