SHILLONG: Water-logging on the Guwahati-Shillong road has become a major problem during monsoon and there are talks to widen the drain along the stretch to prevent floods.
An official source said the water on the road is coming from the hillocks and the catchment areas, and the road was designed in 2000 when the habitation was less on the stretch.
“Silting of water may have taken place, besides clogging of smaller drains may have caused the recent floods in Jorabat,” the official said.
A joint inspection was done on the highway and it was decided that the width of the drain in Nongpoh and Jorabat should be increased from the existing one meter to two-three meters, adding that the proposal is pending with the National Highway Authority of India.
The idea of expanding drains will need the support of local administration as some additional land may be required for the work.
There was water-logging at Jorabat junction recently that affected the traffic movement causing inconvenience to people.
Meanwhile, officials also said work along the Umsning bypass is almost done but they cannot commission the project because of the rain.
“It will be done only after the rainy season,” official said while expressing unhappiness with the fact that roads are being damaged in many areas where weighbridge has been set up.
Earlier, the road was damaged near Umling due to the weighbridge.
The road at 13th Mile where a weighbridge was installed was also damaged and now roads at Shangbangla, where a government check gate has been located, are being affected.
