SHILLONG, June 2: The Umdud bridge, a critical link to the Land Custom Station (LCS) at Majai in the Shella constituency, is under severe threat from overloaded trucks transporting limestone for export to Bangladesh.
Villagers from Majai and neighboring areas have expressed grave concerns that the bridge may collapse if immediate action is not taken to regulate truck loads. Despite clear signage from the East Khasi Hills district administration limiting truck loads to 12 metric tonnes, trucks carrying more than 20 tonnes are frequently seen crossing the bridge.
An order issued by the Executive Engineer of PWD (Roads) Sohra Division, displayed at the start of the road leading to Majai, explicitly prohibits multi-axle trucks from using the bridge due to its weakened structure.
Additionally, weighbridges are positioned at Lailad and just before the Umdud bridge to enforce the load limit. However, the absence of CCTV cameras at these weighbridges raises concerns about the effectiveness of these measures.
Villagers are questioning the NPP-led MDA Government’s ‘inaction’ regarding the protection and repair of the bridge, which is in a dilapidated state. They have also criticised local MLA Balajied Kupar Synrem for his silence on the issue.
In a plea for urgent intervention, villagers have called upon Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who is in charge of PWD, to ensure the road is repaired promptly and that overloaded trucks are barred from crossing the Umdud bridge.
