Umiam Dam repair: EKH, RB cops to man alternative routes

SHILLONG, March 24: East Khasi Hills police as well as Ri-Bhoi police will deploy additional manpower along the alternative routes which have been identified for movement of vehicles during the eight days from March 31 to April 8 when traffic movement over the Umiam Dam will be closed/ regulated for replacement of bearings and expansion joints of the spillway bridges.
Light motor vehicles will be allowed through Shillong-Mawtawar-Umiam Airport Road (VIP road)-Lad Umroi and through Shillong-NEIGRIHMS-New Shillong Township-Diengpasoh-Lad Umroi road. Vehicles proceeding towards Mairang/Nongstoin from Guwahati side will pass through UCC-Mawlyndep-Mawmaram road.
All vehicles, including buses and trucks, will be allowed to ply through the Shillong-Mairang-Nongkhlaw-Guwahati Airport Road and the Shillong-Laitkor-Mawryngkneng-Lad Umroi road during the said period.
With hundreds of people travel between Shillong and Guwahati through the Umiam Dam every day, there are fears that tourist taxi drivers may charge higher fares to ferry passengers.
A number of tourists who are in Shillong have already decided to cut short their vacation and leave ahead of their proposed departure in view of the closure of the road through the Umiam Dam.