SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Transport Department has imposed new weight and size limits for vehicles crossing the Umiam Dam bridge.
The department has said only single axle vehicles with a gross weight, including a load not beyond 9 metric tonnes, will be allowed to ply on the Umiam bridge.
Transport Commissioner Sanjay Goyal issued a notification on August 1 outlining the new regulations.
The notice was issued to ensure the safety and longevity of the Umiam bridge.
“In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 113 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1998 read with Rule 95 of the Central Motor Rules 1989, the Government of Meghalaya hereby issues the following directives with regard to the re-opening of the Umiam Dam Bridge for movement of vehicular traffic due to bridge load limit and the safety and protection of the bridge. Only vehicles with a height of up to 2.8 metres are allowed to ply over the bridge, and only single axle vehicles with gross weight (including the load) not beyond 9 (nine) metric tonnes are allowed to ply on the bridge,” the notice stated.
The directive also limits vehicle height to 2.8 meters or less.
The Meghalaya government recently approved the resumption of two-way traffic on the Umiam Bridge after 8 months following completion of repairs.
The repair works included replacing bridge bearings, adjusting expansion joints, and incrementally raising the bridge structure by 5-10 mm to enhance stability.
Over the past eight months, traffic between Guwahati and Shillong was disrupted as only one-way traffic was permitted across the dam bridge.
