SHILLONG, Nov 13: Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner Arpit Upadhyaya on Sunday said that movement of heavy vehicles has been stopped through Dwar Ksuid Bridge along the Shillong Bypass due to landslip close to the bridge.
He said that light motor vehicles were being allowed to cross the bridge while movement of heavy vehicles will resume from Monday.
“As per the contractor, the sides of the bridge will be completely reinforced in the next four to five days,” the DC said, adding that police have been deployed to regulate the traffic.
The DC said he will inspect the bridge along with NHAI officials on Monday.
“If I am not able to go then I will depute an ADC,” he said.
Trinamool Congress MLA from Umroi, George B Lyngdoh raised concerns on the deteriorating condition of the Dwar Ksuid bridge and blamed the state government for turning a blind eye to the plying of overloaded vehicles.
“The excessive overloading beyond the regulated tyre pressure has put immense pressure on the entire infrastructure of not just the Shillong Bypass but across all national highways in the state and also created detrimental impact on the Umiam bridge,” he said, while reacting to a viral video of landslip near the pillar supporting the Dwar Ksuid bridge.
“I will go for site inspection with some of the engineers and see how we can save the people of the state and bring immediate measures,” he said.
Lyngdoh recalled that he had highlighted the issue in the Assembly and had also pleaded with the government to stop plying of overloaded vehicle to save the road infrastructure. “The result is for us to see that the Dwar Ksuid bridge and its vicinity has become a threat to the plying vehicles and to the citizens who ply towards eastern Ri-Bhoi and other parts of the Northeast,” he said.
“What I fear now is severe traffic jam across the city (Shillong) and further deterioration of infrastructure and this entire thing will put people in more complications. The final exams are approaching and it will put the parents and students in despair and agony,” he observed.
