SHILLONG:
The Meghalaya government has decided to re-inspect the Umïam dam bridge for safety.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma informed the House on March 21 that a safety audit was conducted last year and they found that the vibration (caused by vehicular movement) is within limits.
The issues raised by legislative members, however, will be addressed, and the government is will to re-audit the bridge, he added.
“However, we will conduct another safety audit to ensure these concerns (expressed by the members) are addressed,” he said.
Sangma admitted that even a one percent chance of danger can be a cause of concern, since the bridge is the lifeline to the state and other parts of the Northeastern region.
In May last year, the Meghalaya High Court had directed the state to ban vehicles carrying loads of more than 10 metric ton from plying over the Umiam bridge following suggestion that the existing bridge may not be able to bear the present traffic load.
The Court had noted that both the National Highways Authority of India and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) agree that the Umiam Bridge now in place should be replaced by a more robust construction that will be able to bear the regular traffic.
The BRO had also indicated in its affidavit that vehicles bearing a total weight in excess of 10 metric ton should not be allowed on the bridge.