Meghalaya Power Minister Abu Taher Mondal has announced plans to construct an alternate road connecting Shillong to Umiam. This move comes in response to the ongoing restrictions on heavy vehicles imposed on the Umiam Dam bridge due to rehabilitation and retrofitting works.
While the bridge’s condition has shown some improvement, the state government, following the recommendations of IIT Guwahati, has decided to maintain the ban on heavy vehicles to prioritize safety.
“We are committed to ensuring the safety of both the bridge and the commuters,” said Mondal. “The construction of an alternative road is a crucial step in this direction.”
In August, the Meghalaya Transport Department had already implemented new weight and size restrictions for vehicles crossing the Umiam Dam bridge. Only single-axle vehicles weighing less than 9 metric tonnes, including their load, and with a height of 2.8 meters or less, are currently permitted to use the bridge.