SHILLONG, April 24: The work involving the retrofitting of the Umiam dam and spillway bridges is likely to be completed by June-end, Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) CMD, Sanjay Goyal said on Wednesday, adding that 60% of the drilling and grouting works have been completed.
According to him, seepage through the dam has reduced as per preliminary reports. He said the work is tentatively scheduled to be completed by June 30 after which the road will be opened fully for traffic.
Stating that load restriction till June 30 will be 4 MT only, he said vehicles up to 12 MT only will be allowed to ply after June 30 to ensure the bridge’s long-term safety and structural stability.
“Based on the technical report submitted by IIT, Guwahati and the in-situ technical assessment of the structure, the bridge bearings were refurbished by lifting the decking bridge. After refurbishment, the bridge has again been brought back to its original position,” Goyal said.
Besides the IIT, Guwahati report, an investigation on retrofitting of the bridge girder and deck slab is also being taken up with the Central Soil & Material Research Station for the preparation of a detailed report and estimates. After submission of the report, further suitable action would be taken, he added.
The construction of the Umiam dam and bridge started in 1958 and the work was completed in 1965.
The present works are being taken up under the Dam Rehabilitation Improvement Project (DRIP). The DRIP’s main objectives are rehabilitation and improvement of dams and associated appurtenances safety institutional strengthening. The major works under DRIP include drilling and grouting of the dam, crack repairing and hydro-mechanical works.
