Shillong: Meghalaya authorities have announced traffic restrictions on a vulnerable section of the Shillong-Dawki highway following heightened landslide risks, disrupting access to popular tourist destinations such as Mawlynnong, Dawki, Shnongpdeng, and Darrang.
Officials in East Khasi Hills said the Laitlyngkot-Lyngkyrdem stretch will remain closed from 12 noon to 4 pm and again from 9 pm to 4 am every day between August 20 and 31. A review will determine whether the curbs continue beyond this period.
Commuters have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly during heavy rain or at night, and to exercise extreme caution.
ALSO READ: Naga student body stages protest over medical seat granted to ‘non-indigenous’ candidate
The decision comes after a recent accident near Rngain, where five people died when their vehicle plunged into a 70-foot gorge on the same under-construction route.
In response, the government has instructed the NHIDCL to install adequate warning signs and asked the PWD to map accident-prone areas.
The Shillong-Dawki highway, currently undergoing widening and repairs, remains a critical route for Meghalaya’s tourism sector but continues to face recurring landslides and delays, leading to frequent disruptions during the monsoon.
