SHILLONG: In response to the challenges faced by night super buses and trucks due to the closure of the Umiam Bridge for heavy vehicles, the Meghalaya government is considering building a Bailey bridge as an alternative route for heavy commercial vehicles.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who is also the PWD minister, announced on Wednesday that the state Public Works Department (PWD) is exploring this option and has directed the National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to conduct a survey and prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a new route.
He added that the stretch from Umiam junction to Shillong Civil Hospital is under the jurisdiction of NHIDCL.
Tynsong said the NHIDCL has engaged a consultant for the survey that is expected to start in a couple of months.
While the bridge may take several years to complete, Tynsong has instructed the PWD chief engineer to find a temporary solution for heavy commercial vehicles within 5-6 months.
Prior to its renovation, the Umiam Dam was open to all vehicles. However, after investing approximately Rs 20 crore to reinforce the dam-cum-bridge, the government imposed restrictions on heavy vehicles.
The restrictions, based on the advice of a consultant, caused significant discontent among truck operators, night super bus drivers, and other stakeholders, particularly office workers in the Ri-Bhoi district.
Notably, the Meghalaya government on July 30 approved the resumption of two-way traffic on the Umiam Bridge after 8 months.
The traffic between Guwahati and Shillong was disrupted as only one-way traffic was permitted across the dam bridge.
The Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) initiated efforts to address structural concerns regarding the dam last December.
The repair works included replacing bridge bearings, adjusting expansion joints, and incrementally raising the bridge structure by 5-10 mm to enhance stability.
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However, even after the resumption of two—way traffic, the State Transport Department imposed new weight and size limits for vehicles crossing the Umiam Dam bridge.
The department allowed only single-axle vehicles with a gross weight, including a load not beyond 9 metric tonnes, to ply on the Umiam bridge.
