NONGPOH, April 24: Following reports of structural distress to a reinforced concrete bridge at Dong Mawshohroh in Umbir village, Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal has prohibited the movement of heavy and overloaded vehicles exceeding 9 metric tonnes along the Mawmaram-Nongthliew-Mawmih-Mawlyndep road with immediate effect.
The order follows based technical assessments by the Chief Engineer and Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department (Roads).
According to the reports, cracks were visible in the concrete encasement of RS joists and the RCC deck slab of the bridge, which is located at the 6th kilometre of the Lad Umsaw-UCC-Mawlyndep road under the jurisdiction of the PWD (Roads), Umsning Division.
Designed to support a maximum gross load of 9 metric tonnes, the bridge has been damaged due to repeated use by overloaded vehicles.
The 41.5-kilometre rural road, which connects West Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi districts, is a single-lane stretch without proper passing bays and was intended solely for light vehicular traffic.
According to the official findings, the unauthorised movement of heavy vehicles has contributed to pavement deterioration, including rutting, longitudinal cracks and base failures, further compromising road safety.
