SHILLONG: Following the recent controversy over the closure of a footbridge by the Indian Army, a delegation led by National People’s Party (NPP) MDC from Sohryngkham, Pyniaid Sing Syiem, on Monday asked the State Government to consider construction of a bridge over the Umkhen river connecting Madanrting and Jyntah village.
The MDC also submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Chief Minister and in-charge of PWD, Prestone Tynsong, urging the government to construct a bridge over Umkhen which would ease the problems faced daily by commuters.
The delegation which also comprised of the Jyntah Dorbar Shnong and members of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), further sought the intervention of the deputy chief minister into the sudden closure of the old footbridge over the Umkhen River by the Assam Regiment.
During the meeting, Tynsong assured the delegation that he would give instruction to the deputy commissioner to conduct a spot inspection at the site.
“We have also apprised him (Tynsong) that the old footbridge is located outside the fencing of the Assam Regiment’s firing range,” Syiem said while informing that the inspection which will be conducted within two days will also look into the alleged encroachment by army. Admitting that the existing footbridge is very old, Syiem however said, “We condemn the Army authorities for closing down the bridge without giving prior information to the district administration and the village Dorbar.”
Asked on the importance of public safety, the MDC said that the delegation has also urged the PWD in-charge to also depute engineers to examine the condition of the footbridge.
Syiem further informed that recently an inspection was also conducted along with the district magistrate after receiving complaints from the people especially residents of Jyntah village. “We have also met the authorities of the Assam Regiment who had maintained that the land where the footbridge is located belongs to them. However based on our demand, they agreed to allow the public to use the motorable RCC bridge being constructed by them,” he said. He, however, said that the delegation during the upcoming inspection of the site will also find out whether necessary permission was granted for the construction of the new RCC bridge.
Syiem further alleged that the construction of the new RCC Bridge had also affected the Umkhen river due to the alleged haphazard land filling done in the area.
