SHILLONG: As monsoon knocks at the door the threat of landslides yet again looms large over the vulnerable Shillong-Guwahati road.
The NH-40 is susceptible to landslides which is a matter of grave concern for frequent travelers.
According to some people, there are several places along the road where water seeps in from the hillocks which were cut during road construction causing the mud to get wet, thereby increasing the chances of landslides. Some fear that landslides may occur again in those areas in case of heavy rainfall. Fatal landslides were reported along the route last year, blocking the national highway for a few days.
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, which conducted a study on the problem of landslides along the Guwahati-Shillong highway, recommended flattening of hill slopes in the entire stretch of the expressway to avoid recurrence of landslides. The report of IIT Roorkee has been submitted to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) which is analyzing it.
It has been reported that temporary measures such as construction of retaining walls have been undertaken along the road to avoid landslides.
Meanwhile, the flyover at Lad Umroi has also been opened for traffic since Saturday and the project is almost nearing completion except for the Umsning Bypass stretch which is yet to wind up.
