SHILLONG, July 29: After a long wait of seven months, the bridge atop the Umiam Dam will be reopened for traffic from both sides from Tuesday but the movement of heavy vehicles, including night super buses, will continue to be restricted.
Around Rs 20 crore was spent in repairing and renovating the asset.
The High-Powered Committee, comprising PWD, MeECL, DGP, Chief Secretary, DCs and other officials, met here on Monday and decided to reopen the bridge for vehicular traffic from both ends.
Traffic was regulated since December 14 last year in view of the retrofitting work and it led to a chaotic situation on the stretch.
Power Minister AT Mondal said vehicles carrying loads up to a maximum of four metric tonnes will be allowed to pass through the bridge at a time.
The minister added that the weight restriction would be relaxed in due course of time.
Meanwhile, the operators of night super buses will continue to suffer although there is an ISBT in Shillong.
For the past seven months, they have been using a lay-by in Umiam after paying parking fees. The passengers are required to travel all the way to Umiam to board these buses. The trauma will continue.
According to Mondal, the government will further relax the weight limit and put up a permanent barrier on the bridge to ensure that no heavy vehicle can pass through it.
He said the spillway and retrofitting work has been completed. He added that the work on the top surface is almost completed. He said they will have to now go for grouting in the gallery portion but this will not hamper traffic.
Mondal said the government is restricting the movement of heavy vehicles due to safety reasons.
If restrictions are not imposed, there will be further deterioration and seepages in the dam, he said, adding that the restrictions are in the greater interest of the bridge and the dam.
The minister said the lifespan of the dam and the bridge has now got extended by another two decades.
He also said that only Rs 64 lakh was spent in the bridge component while a major chunk of the money went into the dam component. Another Rs 2 crore was spent in the painting of the radial gate, removal of the old rubber seal and other works.
