NONGPOH:
After cracks surfaced in the RCC bridge at Dwar Ksuid, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) from Ri Bhoi District, on 16 January, lodged a complaint with the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Ri Bhoi district, seeking the formation of an enquiry team, to investigate the matter.
According to the president of Meghalaya United and Social Organisation, Aiborlang Jyrwa, cracks have been detected since January 13 and the continuous plying of heavy vehicles through this bridge might trigger a series of unfortunate incidents.
Jyrwa, who is also part of the JAC, informed that the main beam of the RCC bridge has already shown signs of instability, adding that confusion looms large over the weight of the load permitted by the district administration.
“In 2021, when RM Kurbah was still the DC, an order was issued, allowing vehicles weighing below 10 tonnes to use the bridge but after the Bailey bridge, next to the RCC bridge, was repaired, another order was passed, increasing the load weight from 10 to 30 tonnes – but the order never mentioned whether the 30 tonnes was specific for the RCC or Bailey bridge,” Jyrwa said.
Furthermore, he said that videos of vehicles, irrespective of their weight, passing through the two bridges have been captured and sent to the JAC, raising concerns among the residents of the area.
“With cracks already appearing, we fear that if loaded trucks continue to use the RCC bridge, it might not be able to handle the weight and collapse,” he added.
Stressing the need for reconstruction of the RCC bridge, Jyrwa said, repairing might only help cover up the loose ends but it will not solve the problem.
The JAC has urged the district authority to stop heavy vehicles from using the RCC bridge to avoid further damage to the road and to prevent any unforeseen accidents.
Meanwhile, speaking to The Meghalayan, members of the Seng Samla Umroi Pyllun have downplayed the issue and said the cracks will not pose any danger, calling them minor cracks that have surfaced since last year.
“It might be a political issue, raked up by someone with a hidden agenda,” a member of the Seng Samla, on condition of anonymity said on January 17.
The member said that a new bridge, next to the old RCC bridge has already been constructed and nearing completion, adding that once the new bridge is complete, talks and debates over cracks in the old bridge will become irrelevant.