The Meghalaya High Court has expressed its dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work for construction of the bailey bridge at Dwar Ksuid at Umroi in Ri-Bhoi district.
It may be noted that the National Highway Authorities of India (NHAI) has decided to construct the bailey bridge at Dwar Ksuid on the Shillong by-pass following cracks that developed at the existing RCC bridge which may lead to sudden collapse of the bridge.
Movement of loaded trucks has been routed through Shillong city since November last year after the Dwar Ksuid bridge was found unsafe for movement of heavy vehicles. At the same time, there were concerns that movement of loaded trucks through Umiam bridge may lead to further deterioration of the bridge which was built since the 1960s.
During hearing of the public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Meghalaya High Court Bar Association today, the division bench of the court said it was not satisfied with the slow progress of the work for construction of the bailey bridge.
During the hearing, the NHAI told the court that full flow of traffic on the bailey bridge at Dwar Ksuid will take several more weeks. Earlier, the NHAI had assured the court that the bailey bridge would be opened for regular traffic on or before March 10.
“Having heard the learned advocates for the parties, we are not satisfied with the pace of work as far as the erection and completion of the bailey bridge is concerned. We had been earlier assured that the bailey bridge will be opened for regular traffic on or before 10th March, 2021. Today, however, upon hearing the learned advocate representing the National Highway Authorities of India (NHAI), it appears that full flow of traffic on the bailey bridge will take several more weeks,” the bench of Chief Justice Biswanath Somadder and Justice Justice Hamarsan Sing Thangkhiew said.
The High Court also directed the Meghalaya High Court Bar Association to send two of their office bearers to the site to inspect the work which is in progress and to file a report before the court on the next date of hearing listed on March 16.
It may be mentioned that the Meghalaya High Court Bar Association in its PIL has expressed concern over the dilapidated and dangerous condition of Umiam bridge which is on the verge of collapse at any given moment.
According to the Meghalaya High Court Bar Association, the Umiam bridge came into existence sometime in the early 1960s and is the lifeline of Shillong.
As per the submissions advanced by Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited, the load bearing capacity of the Umiam bridge at that point of time was around 40 metric tonnes. However, between 1960s and today, the traffic has increased exponentially.
The load which the Umiam bridge is now burdened is far beyond the initial capacity of 40 metric tonnes when it was constructed and commissioned during the 1960s.
The Meghalaya High Court Bar Association said that it is palpably evident that the State government has not at all addressed the risk factor involved with regard to plying of vehicles on Umiam bridge nor has it taken any tangible or concrete steps to repair the bridge; thereby putting the safety and security of all citizens who are using the bridge presently at a great risk.
While going through the PIL, the High Court noted with concern the situation at present, which is extremely risky and compromises with the safety and security of all citizens who are using the Umiam bridge.
