SHILLONG: In response to growing concerns over the safety of the Umiam Bridge, the government has assured the public that both the bridge and the dam are secure.
Sanjay Goyal, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Meghalaya Energy Corporation Ltd (MeECL), addressed the press on Friday, informing that the ongoing work on the bridge is being carried out only to enhance its lifespan.
Goyal clarified, “I would like to clearly mention that both the structures, the bridge and the dam, are safe. We have conducted a lot of studies with all the expert agencies, and over a period of time, they require rehabilitation, they require maintenance for increasing their lifespan.”
While acknowledging the inconvenience caused to the public during the current work, Goyal highlighted that the rehabilitation efforts would extend the dam’s lifespan by at least 40 to 50 years.
Regarding the bridge, situated above the dam, he explained that the removal of ball bearings is essential to fortify the structure’s load capacity.
“These are the two works which we are taking up, and there is no reason we should delay it,” he added.
The Umiam Bridge’s safety has been a contentious issue, prompting the government to engage expert agencies such as IIT Guwahati, Central Soil and Materials Research Station, and Central Water Power Research Station for instrumentation and earthquake parameters to ensure safety.
Earlier in May 2022, in response to concerns about the bridge’s dwindling lifespan, the government had decided to construct a new bridge over the reservoir.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong had announced the decision, citing the 57-year-old bridge’s need for a “timely stitch”.
The decision to build a new bridge had come in the wake of the Meghalaya High Court’s caution to address the situation promptly to prevent Shillong, the state capital, from being cut off due to the lack of a bridge over the reservoir.
