Shillong, Sept 08: Power Minister Abu Taher Mondal on Friday said the preliminary report submitted by the Indian Institute of Technology – Guwahati (IIT-G) has indicated that the Umiam bridge is in a good condition but the bearings of the bridge have to be replaced to extend its lifespan.
Mondal told reporters that the IIT-G had already conducted an inspection of the Umiam bridge and the department is just waiting for the report.
“As per preliminary report, they are telling the bridge is in a good condition but the bearing of the bridge has to be replaced. Accordingly, we have placed an order to the company which is manufacturing these bearings and a renowned party also has been engaged for that,” he said.
He also informed that a joint committee between the engineers of the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) and Public Works Department (PWD) has been constituted to examine the proposed retrofitting of the Umiam bridge.
“Very soon they will be submitting their report then this matter will be discussed among ourselves and may be in the cabinet on how we go ahead. So everything is okay, we will fix a date,” he said.
The minister said before that the general public will be informed that on so and so date, the bridge will be literally lifted for changing or replacing the bearings.
“So things are on its course and on the day these bearings will be replaced, traffic will be put to standstill means no traffic will be allowed to pass through the bridge for a maximum of 8 hours. Then after 8 hours, only light vehicles will be allowed to pass through the bridge meaning on the day when the bridge will be lowered again traffic will not be allowed to pass through the bridge. After putting down its original position again the traffic will be allowed to pass,” he said while adding that during this period, no vehicles will be allowed to pass through the bridge.
