JOWAI: A 140-m bridge on the Um-Su-wai river near Ladrymbai in East Jaintia Hills needs immediate repair by the PWD as it is jeopardising the lives of commuters from seven nearby villages.
The bridge which connects with NH-44 from Ladrymbai at Kongong is at high risk and may collapse anytime. But even after several complaints to the Department and its former minister M.M Dango, nothing has been done so far.
It connects the seven villages of Moolamanoh, Moolang, Musniang, Myusniang Rim, Moo-Nongtdu and Lumputhoi, besides the San Shnong area including Mutong, Cham Cham, Loomshyrmit, Mookhaialong and Pynthorsale.
Following complaints from the villagers, the PWD started an enquiry in 2014 and a report was submitted to the chief engineer. The report stated that due to the plying of heavy vehicles which carry minerals, like coal and limestone, from local mines the bridge may collapse anytime.
“Repairing of the bridge on the Um-Su-wai is impossible as spare parts are not available,” the executive engineer and the assistant engineer of Khliehriat sub-division had stated two years ago.
“On thorough inspection, it was found that a few years ago, a series of accidents took place on the bridge where heavy coal-laden trucks, in separate incidents, hit the main vertical pillars of the middle span on the right side causing them to tilt and resulting in the damage of the RCC deck,” the report further stated.
The PWD officials had even requested the higher authority and the State Government to construct a new RCC bridge on the river but the latter is silent on the issue since 2014. The Musniang-Rangad road in the area is also in a dilapidated condition. The bridge was constructed during the tenure of former PWD minister Simon Siangshai and the WMR Road was constructed during the tenure of former PWD minister Nehlang Lyngdoh, both of whom were from Khiehriat constituency.
The locals have urged the authority concerned to construct a new bridge for the welfare and the safety of the people.
