SHILLONG: The Assam Regiment on Monday clarified that the military authorities have blocked the bridge due to its shabby condition which may cause some unfortunate incident in future.
The 150-year-old bridge over Umkhen river near Assam Regimental Centre, which falls in A-1 Defence Land, has developed cracks and the support structure is broken, the Army’s clarification said.
“This step has been taken purely with the intent of keeping the safety of people in mind and not for any kind of discomfort or harassment as reported in media,” the army said in a statement.
There is a new concrete bridge presently under construction for military traffic only and not opened for military traffic as yet, due to incomplete work of retention walls of the bridge.
The statement further said the existing PWD causeway to cross the river is routinely and extensively used both by army and civilians and is safe with no history of any mishap in last few years. It is only during heavy rains that the causeway has 4 to 5 inches of water and army has been assisting the public to ensure safe passage. Army has even gone ahead with cleaning this causeway as part of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan recently.
