Shillong, Sep 20: The Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) has urged the state government to conduct a safety audit of two vital bridges in East Jaintia Hills, citing concerns over their structural integrity and potential risks to commuters.
In a letter to the East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner, the JSU expressed particular concern about the Lukha River bridge on NH-6 at Sonapur village, which they claim poses a significant risk to safety due to its age and heavy load.
The union highlighted that the bridge’s condition is compromised by the constant movement of heavy vehicles, traffic congestion, and the practice of vehicles parking on the bridge despite prohibitory orders.
The JSU warned that any structural failure or collapse of the bridge would endanger lives, disrupt communication and transportation, and cause hardships for the people of the area and beyond.
The union requested the deputy commissioner to conduct an immediate inspection of the two bridges by technical and engineering authorities, take prompt action to prevent future tragedies or transportation crises, implement preventive alternatives, such as regulating heavy vehicle flow or imposing load restrictions, take necessary steps for renovation, strengthening, or replacement of the Lukha River bridge to ensure long-term safety and uninterrupted transportation.
