SHILLONG: The much awaited suspension footbridge in Williamnagar is finally complete and is awaiting its inauguration and the bridge will provide the much needed assistance to poor villagers living on the other side of Simsang river who come Williamnagar to sell their products.
Even now, the only way for the people of this area to reach Williamnagar is to cross the Simsang River and the river allows crossing it by vehicle for only four months in a year and rest of the year the only way to cross the river is by traditional boat called “ring” in local language.
Williamngar MLA Deborah Marak said that the bridge is fully complete and it will provide the much needed relief to the people on the other side of river Simsang.
The bridge was the need of the hour since an under construction bridge was eluding them for the past 30 years and it was a challenge for the people to cross the river. However, after inception of MGNREGS, the VECs across the river took up many useful works to improve communication and 5 VECs came together and decided to construct a suspension footbridge jointly and approached the District Administration.
The Meghalaya Integrated Basin Development Livelihood Programme is contributing 18.5% of the Project Cost under Convergence and the rest of the project cost is being funded by MGNREGS and community contribution
However, the District Administration is not in any hurry to complete the project since Simsang river is quite shallow in few sports since it’s a lean season and people can easily cross the river.
Marak said that the bridge is fully ready but it could not be inaugurated since the she and the Chief Minister was out of station.
“Once the Chief Minister is in station we will inaugurate the bridge,” she said.