MAWKYRWAT, Oct 29: The District Magistrate of South West Khasi Hills C Kharkongor, in an order, has prohibited plying of vehicles carrying load beyond the permissible limit — not exceeding 9 tonnes — to ply through Bridge No 5/5 over Umngi river in Umpung village connecting Mawphlang-Balat road with Ranikor-Maheshkola.
According to the order, the decision was taken after information was received that the bridge, which was constructed back in the year 1960, is in a deteriorating condition and has even sustained damage on a portion of it due to plying of overloaded vehicles.
The DC said that the order was necessitated to ensure safety of public lives as well as properties and to prevent any potential eventuality likely to be caused by the deplorable condition of the bridge besides restricting haphazard movement of overloaded trucks and buses from and to the area, and regulate unlawful activity that may disrupt the free movement of vehicular traffic in the district and cause inconvenience.