Movement of trucks and other vehicles via Shillong By-Pass to other neighbouring states like Mizoram, Tripura, Barak Valley and Cachar Hills in Assam and parts of Manipur has been closed due to a major landslide that occurred at Thangshalai in East Khasi Hills district.
Hundreds of goods-laden trucks are stranded on the Shillong By-Pass since yesterday evening.
According to officials of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), the landslide took place in a stone quarry and the debris spilled over to the by-pass.
“Due to incessant rains, big stones on top of the stone quarry collapsed which caused major landslide in the area,” an NHAI official said, adding that the massive landslide did not cause damage to the by-pass.
Works are on to clear the debris, and movement of big vehicles has been restricted via the by-pass.
Trucks are not allowed to divert their route to the national highway via Shillong city.
The 47 km Shillong by-pass starts from Lad Umroi in Ri-Bhoi district and joins the national highway at Mawryngkneng in East Khasi district.
“Labourers and earthmovers have been pressed into service in full swing since yesterday and they are working overtime to clear the debris in order restore the bypass at the earliest,” the NHAI official informed.
If restoration works to clear the debris complete early, movement of vehicles on the by-pass may resume by tomorrow morning.
The Shillong By-Pass was constructed at Rs 220.35 crore including one major and eight minor bridges along the stretch from Lad Umroi to Mawryngkneng.
This by-pass has helped in reducing traffic congestion along the narrow national highway that passes through Shillong city.
