A timber bridge located along the Maheskola-Sohhylleng road in South West Khasi Hills district was allegedly set on fire by unidentified miscreants on March 15, leading to the bridge being closed since the incident.
The bridge connects Sohhylleng – Amarsang-Umtong-kut villages.
The Ranikor PWD Division has issued a notice warning of stern action against any acts of vandalism and arson on road infrastructure. It said that authorities will leave no stone unturned in identifying and apprehending those responsible for such criminal acts.
Executive Engineer D. Kyndiah said there have been repeated incidents of deliberate bridge burning, causing significant disruption and posing severe safety risks to the public.
Informing that the Division oversees a vast network of over 200 kilometers of roads and 25 Semi Permanent Timber (SPT) bridges, many of which are designated as weak structures, Kyndiah said the bridges are critical arteries for the transportation of goods and people, and their destruction creates substantial hardship for local communities and road users.
“The recent spate of arson attacks on these bridges, perpetrated by miscreants and individuals with ill-fated intent, is a direct assault on public safety and the region’s infrastructure. These acts of vandalism not only impede essential transportation but also place a considerable burden on the PWD Division’s resources, diverting funds and manpower from crucial maintenance and development projects,” the notice said.
The Division said the notice is a final warning and urged citizens to cooperate with the authorities and report any suspicious activity related to the vandalism of public infrastructure.
