By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: More than 100 empty trucks coming from Guwahati to Jaintia Hill district were diverted through Mawlasnai-Nartiang road at Lad-Umroi on Monday.
Informing this here, Ri-Bhoi Superintendent of Police Claudia Lyngwa on Monday said empty trucks were directed to move through the Mawlasnai-Nartiang road till 4 pm.
Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh, also in charge of the PWD, had, during an inspection of the road last month announced that empty trucks plying through National Highway 40 would be diverted from Lad Umroi through the newly-inaugurated Umkhen bridge via Nartiang to 8 miles in Jaintia Hills and connect to National Highway 44 from February 13 onwards.
Accordingly, the Umkhen bridge which connects Ri Bhoi district with Jaintia Hills, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma on Friday last.
The trucks held at no entry points along the NH-40 in Ri-Bhoi district were released at 8pm and they were allowed to ply via Shillong, Lyngwa said adding that the administration was contemplating to divert the trucks during the night hours too.
While stating that this diversion of trucks would definitely help ease traffic congestion along the highways, she believed that it would also give some relief to students appearing in various examinations starting from March.
Meanwhile, a delegation of the Ri-Bhoi Youth Federation (RBYF) on Monday met PWD Minister to discuss the issue of diversion of empty trucks through the Mawlasnai-Nartiang road. “We discussed concerns expressed by various quarters on the diversion of trucks,” RBYF general secretary LK Sawkmie said. While stating that the main area of concern was deteriorating condition of the road, Sawkmie said the youth body urged the PWD minister to take steps for improvement and widening of the road. Lyngdoh assured the delegation that the Government would take steps in this regard.