Silchar: Cachar district authorities have ordered a 48-hour shutdown of the Gammon Bridge on NH 6 after engineers flagged serious damage to its structural bearings. The closure begins at 6 PM on December 12 and will continue until 6 PM on December 14. Only pedestrians will be allowed to cross. All vehicles, without exception, are barred during this window.

The directive came after the General Manager of NHIDCL’s PMU Silchar unit alerted the administration that several bearings had broken and required immediate replacement. The District Disaster Management Authority acted on the warning and invoked provisions of the Disaster Management Act to ensure the repair team can work without disruption. Officials said the decision was taken to protect commuters and preserve the bridge’s structural stability.

A traffic diversion plan is now in place. Heavy vehicles have been routed through Kalain, Khambar Bazar, Bihara, Baburbazar, and Borkhola along NH 27.

Light passenger vehicles and goods carriers below 15 metric tonnes may use the Silchar Kalain road. Authorities have asked commuters to follow the prescribed routes to avoid congestion.

Emergency teams are stationed at critical points. SDRF personnel have been deployed at Siddeshwar and Latimara ghats. Police teams under the Superintendent of Police will manage crowd and traffic control at Kargil Point, Khambar Bazar, Baburbazar near the RCC bridge, and Bhangarpar near the Bailey bridge.

The Circle Officer of Katigorah is supervising operations at both temporary ghats with support from CQRT members and Aapda Mitra volunteers.

Officials said the order is purely a safety measure and will remain effective until further instructions are issued. The directive was approved by the District Commissioner.