SHILLONG, March 15: The Umiam bridge, which is considered as vulnerable, will continue to face the wrath of the heavy vehicles as the bailey bridge construction at Shillong Bypass is likely to be completed by the end of this month.
The bailey bridge, which is being constructed temporarily after Dwar Ksuid bridge suffered cracks last year, will be completed by March-end, as per the ken of authorities. However, until then, hundreds of trucks and heavy vehicles would continue to ply through the heart of the city during night hours and pass via Umiam bridge.
For the last two months, hopes are up regarding the bailey bridge but it is yet to see light of day and has even missed two-three stipulated deadlines.
The government mooted the idea of bailey bridge after Dwar Ksuid, a major bridge on the Shillong Bypass, was termed as unsafe for vehicular movement, especially the heavy vehicles.
An official at the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) informed that the agency is also expecting that the project will be completed by the end of this month, while adding that the work was delayed in order to bolster the foundation of the structure.
“Even after the main structure is done, we will have to construct the approaches,” the official said, adding that as there is delay the NHAI is also losing revenue.
While the completion of the bailey bridge is quite uncertain, what is known is that the result of this delay has been leading to traffic snarls along city roads starting late night till early morning.
Citizens have also shared their harrowing experiences during this period as hundreds of trucks rule the city roads entering the town to make their journey to other places.
What is more concerning is the fact that Umiam bridge is once again carrying the pressure of heavy trucks and vehicles which plies on it at night.
When contacted, an official from the city police said that they have deployed personnel to take charge of the roads at night, while adding that even the dam is manned by police from East Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi.
“We are ensuring that only vehicles carrying 20 tonnes of weight are allowed to pass through the village at one time on the dam from both sides,” the NHAI official said.
In addition, the police have also positioned a night supervising officer who is obliged to respond to any accident or breakdown of vehicles as trucks pass through the city.
