Nongpoh, May 13: After years of restrictions on the movement of heavy vehicles due to the deteriorating condition of the old Umiam Dam, the state government today officially opened a new bridge to bypass the dam and ease traffic movement to and from Shillong.
The new bridge is located downriver of Umiam Dam. It was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who also holds charge of the Public Works Department. Umroi MLA Damanbait Lamare and senior civil servants were also present.
The road and bridge project was constructed under the Special Assistance to State Capital Investment scheme at a cost of approximately Rs 23 crore.
Commercial vehicles, including night buses, will be allowed only between 9pm to 7am daily. Articulated vehicles will not be allowed to ply on this road, which will be limited to rigid vehicles upto three axles with two tyres on the front axle and eight tyres in two tandem axles at the back, subject to the total gross weight of the vehicle being up to 28.5 tonnes.
All night super buses have also been ordered to park at the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) in Mawiong. Parking will not be allowed at Polo, Shillong Municipal Board parking lot at Dhankheti, along the Itshyrwat-New Shillong Road, Shillong-Jowai Road or anywhere in the city except the ISBT.
