Long queues of vehicles waiting to cross Umiam Dam at the north and south ends are a regular sight nowadays and the police are advising travellers to avoid it and take alternate routes.
The dam is under repair, which means that only one lane is open to traffic at any one time.
In order to cut down on congestion, vehicles proceeding from Guwahati or elsewhere towards Shillong or vice versa should use one of two alternate routes, East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Rituraj Ravi said today.
These are the VIP Road from Mawlai Mawroh tri-junction to Mawtawar junction, Nongkohlew, Mawsiatkhnam and Umroi Airport or the Mawdiangdiang-Diengpasoh Road from Nongmensong to NEIGRIHMS, Tynring, Shillong Bypass and Diengpasoh.
They are both longer than the National Highway route but avoiding the wait at the dam could save travellers time.