Meghalaya Govt looking for alternate route to bypass Umiam Bridge

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 3, 2022

The Meghalaya Government is exploring possibility of alternate route by passing the existing main dam bridge in Umiam connecting East Khasi Hills District and rest of India via Ri Bhoi District.

Informing this to media persons, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge PWD Prestone Tynsong said they are examining the proposal of the government to construct a road from Jingkieng Kalong to Umiam. He however said there are lots of formalities to be done in this regard.

“In fact I have already asked my team of engineers to work out if there is any other option where we can bypass the existing main dam bridge,” he asserted.

On the repairing of the Sonapur bridge over Lukha River in East Jaintia Hills District, Tynsong assured that the repair work will be completed within 45 days.

This was based on the recommendation of the expert team from Delhi after conducting an inspection of the bridge after it developed some cracks.

Also Read | Sonapur Bridge Repair: Traffic movement restrictions from February 4

“The finding (of the expert team) is immediate repair has to take place. The project director of National Highway Authority of India is on the job to start repairing this bridge,” Tynsong said.

He said the district administration has restricted movement of commercial vehicles through the bridge.

Tynsong ruled out the question of construction of a new bridge as the existing bridge is still good.

He also said that the bridge, which is around 100 meters, was constructed by the BRO and is the only lifeline which connects Meghalaya with the rest of the other North Eastern states.

Regarding the Umiam bridge, the deputy chief minister said, “Experts had already done the exercise of plus and minus and all detail structure so that’s why the restriction of weight is already in place for those who go and come via this bridge at Barapani.”

Stating that the government’s focus is on the Shillong Western bypass, Tynsong said, “If Western bypass is constructed i think quite a number of commercial vehicles will not ply via the Umiam bridge.”

He said the project is still in the state of land acquisition. “We have already asked both the district collectors of East Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi to start the proceedings of land acquisition,” he added.

On the status of the Dwarksuid bridge, the deputy chief minister said that a work order will be issued very soon from the ministry.

“Once that is done, they will start the work. Hardly, they will take one year to complete the reconstruction of the entire stretch of the bridge,” he said.