The day stands still for Kadakachang Bridge cum Sluice Gate

A decade after 2004 tsunami,

the day stands still for Kadakachang Bridge cum Sluice Gate

Debkumar Bhadra | Musings of an Islander | South Andaman

More than a decade back on the fateful day of December 26, 2004 the Great Sumatra-Andaman earthquake jolted the Andaman and Nicobar Islands out of slumber only to stand spectator to a giant tsunami that raided the islands washing away almost anything to everything falling its way. The Sluice Gate at Kadakachang in South Andaman was one such structure that was severely damaged by the earthquake triggered tsunami. The swell also washed away a portion of the road at Kadakachang creating a breach which added to flooding of large tracts of plantation and agricultural land belonging to old inhabitants of the region. Elsewhere in the islands, numerous lives were lost and properties worth crores damaged.

Satellite image showing the Kakakachang Sluice Gate

The Govt of India and a good number of NGO’s responded to the crisis situation, helping survivors overcome the traumatic experience and loss inflicted by the epic disaster. However after more than a decade of generous spending on tsunami relief, rehabilitation and rebuilding, the day continues to stand still as far as the Kadakachang Sluice Gate and the tsunami created breach is concerned.

Built during the colonial raj, the sluice gate at Kadakachang and the road over it served as an alternate connectivity between Bambooflat and Ferrar Gunj. The road, which in fact is a shortcut is used extensively by motorists and a good number of pedestrians from rural South Andaman to reach the ferry point at Bambooflat and the sluice gates beneath served to protect large tract of plantation and agricultural land from sea water ingress; allowing surface runoff to drain into the Kadakachang creek.

On the fateful day of December 26, 2004 giant tsunami waves swept away a portion of the road adjoining the Kadakachang Sluice Gate thus submerging large tracts of plantation and agricultural land belonging to old inhabitants of Kadakachang, Stewart Gunj and Wimberly Gunj area. Road connectivity to Bambooflat was consequently lost both from the Ferrar Gunj as well as Wimberly Gunj side. In order to bring normalcy in the region, another road was laid from inside Stewart Gunj village thus connectivity to Wimberly Gunj was established. On the other hand, a Steel Bailey Bridge was laid over the tsunami created breach at Kadakachang and traffic on the alternate road was also restored.

The Kadakachang Bridge

Surprisingly the concrete base which was supposed to provide support to the bridge and share the load of vehicular traffic, slipped within months of its installation leaving the bridge suspended on the Bailey panels. However keeping in view the necessity, the bridge though unfit had been kept open, temporarily for pedestrians, two wheelers and light motor vehicles. As a safety precautionary measure, small curtain walls were erected on either side of the bridge to prevent Heavy Vehicles from using the bridge.

With passage of time, the bund adjoining the bridge, above which the road runs, have also become porous allowing sea water to vertically diffuse through it. During high tide, sea water seeps beneath the road from sea to landward side and in the reverse direction during low tide. As a result the road above the bund has already sank a few feet signaling danger of total collapse of the entire stretch of road and or the bridge anytime in the near future!

A dead wood carved by natural forces

The issue reported earlier (see this link) in The Light of Andamans issue dated 09/09/2011 unfortunately failed to create an impact in the minds of concerned authorities. Anyone visiting the site would get an impression that efforts are underway to rectify the damaged sluice gates. But the fact is, for reasons unknown, the work has not progressed an inch beyond stacking a consignment of huge concrete pipes alongside the road and isolating the sluice gate from the sea by dumping loads of earth in its vicinity. The day stands still for the Kadakachang Bridge cum Sluice Gate.

The steel bridge over the breach still remains suspended on bailey panels away from its supporting base and the small curtain walls restricting vehicular traffic at each of the end of the bridge remains intact as well. Scores of people, two wheelers, light motor vehicles pass over the precariously hanging bridge, ignoring the signboard placed nearby that reads : Warning!! Beware of Crocodiles.

Perhaps for a common man, the urge to cross over to the other side seems stronger than the danger lurking beneath its feet.