Shillong July 29: Commuters traveling via the Umiam Bridge will experience relief as the High Powered Committee (HPC), chaired by Deputy Chief Minister and PWD (Roads) Minister Prestone Tynsong, has approved the resumption of 2-way vehicular movement after nearly 8 months on the crucial bridge.
Power Minister A T Mondal announced on Monday that the bridge will be open to traffic from Tuesday. However, vehicles exceeding 4 metric tonnes will still be prohibited from using the bridge. To enforce this restriction, the PWD will install barriers to prevent heavy vehicles from crossing.
The rehabilitation of the bridge, which cost approximately Rs. 19 crore, has extended its lifespan by nearly two decades. The project received final approval from IIT Guwahati, which confirmed the bridge’s safety for reopening.
The traffic restriction was put in place on December 14, 2023, for the Dam Rehabilitation & Improvement Projects (DRIP Phase II & III). The main objective of DRIP was for rehabilitation and improvement of the dam and associated appurtenances. The major works under DRIP includes Drilling and Grouting of Dam, Crack repairing and Hydro mechanical works. One half of the bridge was used for the repair and upgradation work while the other half was open for traffic, which was heavily regulated. Due to this, the commuters had to face long hours of traffic halt as vehicles for only one side were released at a time, either coming to Shillong or going towards Ri Bhoi and Guwahati, bringing traffic on the other side to a complete halt, whereas heavy vehicles had to take an alternate route.
Mondal also mentioned that the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has been tasked with identifying alternative routes. He clarified that the current arrangement, where night buses must halt before the bridge and wait for passengers to cross, will remain in effect.
