SHILLONG:
The construction of a new bridge alongside the old existing Umtrew (Dwarksuid) bridge along the Shillong bypass will be completed within the next 10 months.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong informed that the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) will soon start the construction and the work order for the same has already been issued by the government.
“They have decided not to construct the new bridge on top of the old bridge but near the old existing bridge to avoid disruption of the flow of traffic,” Tynsong said, post chairing a meeting with NHAI officials, recently. The meeting was followed by a site inspection, the minister further informed.
Construction of the new bridge is necessitated after the old bridge was declared unsafe following development of cracks. The deputy chief minister informed that as of now, only light vehicles and unloaded vehicles are allowed to ply on the existing bridge.
Tynsong said that the Bailey Bridge is still being used as a temporary measure so that the heavier trucks do not have to pass through Shillong. “That is why we want to complete the new bridge at the earliest because Bailey Bridge requires repairing three times a week to be functional,” he added.