SHILLONG: No vehicles would be allowed to pass for six hours on the Umiam Bridge owing to retrofitting on March 31, the Meghalaya Power Generation Corporation Limited (MePGCL) said on Thursday.
As per the plan outlined by the MePGCL, the bridge over the dam will witness a minimum of six hours of total traffic blockage from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm on March 31. Only ambulances will be allowed to cross the bridge during this time frame.
Both district administrations will identify specific locations before and after the Umiam Dam where vehicles will be halted during the initial six-hour window, a statement issued by the MePGCL said.
ALSO READ Umiam Bridge safe, ongoing work only to increase lifespan: Meghalaya govt
The retrofitting of the bridge will continue for an eight-day period till April 8.
Following the completion of bridge work, the downstream half of the road will be accessible for vehicles weighing up to 4 tons for the entire duration of the 8-day period until 7:00 am on April 8, 2024.
Subsequently, starting from 7:00 am on April 8, vehicles weighing up to 15 tons will be permitted downstream of the bridge.
The Deputy Commissioners of East Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi Districts will collaborate with the Police Departments to enforce the proposed arrangements during this period.
In December 2023, amid rising concerns regarding the safety of the Umiam Bridge, the Meghalaya government had reassured the public about the bridge and dam’s security.
Sanjay Goyal, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Meghalaya Energy Corporation Ltd (MeECL), while acknowledging the public inconvenience caused by the ongoing work, had stressed that the rehabilitation endeavours would prolong the dam’s lifespan by 40 to 50 years.
