After a gap of eight months, movement of vehicles on both sides of Umiam dam bridge is set to begin from tomorrow following completion of repairs. However, only vehicles with four tons of weight can ply on the bridge.
The Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) had initiated retrofitting work on the Umiam dam bridge on December 14, 2023. While the repair efforts were initially slated for completion within 4-5 months, the work faced prolonged delays.
The work included replacing bridge bearings, adjusting expansion joints, and incrementally raising the bridge structure by 5-10 mm to enhance stability.
The work was taken up under the Dam Rehabilitation Improvement Project (DRIP) at a total cost of Rs 19.9 crore.
Over the past eight months, traffic between Guwahati and Shillong was disrupted as only one-way traffic was permitted across the dam bridge, leading to extensive snarls on both sides.
“After extensive discussions by the high-powered committee on the repair and reopening of the bridge, we have decided to allow two-way traffic from tomorrow morning, restricted to vehicles with weight under 4 metric tons,” Power Minister Abu Taher Mondal said today.
The committee meeting included district authorities, consultants from IIT-Guwahati, and Public Works Department officials.
Mondal highlighted that the repairs included retrofitting the bridge and addressing issues above the spillway, totaling expenditures of Rs 19.9 crore. He assured that ongoing minor tasks, such as repairing cracks in the upstream phase of the bridge, will not disrupt vehicle movement.
He also informed that the rehabilitation work has two components – the dam and the bridge. He explained that the portion where the retrofitting work for the bridge is required has been completed and further retrofitting may be required which will be decided in due course of time.
“As for the dam, almost all the works on the top surface is completed but they still need to go for grouting in the gallery portion which will not hamper the flow of traffic and little work is left for repairing of cracks and minor works which will not hamper movement of traffic,” Mondal said.
Asked if the dam and bridge is safe now, the minister said that it is for this reason restrictions are being placed allowing only light motor vehicles since it is not safe to allow heavy vehicles to ply from the bridge.
He added that with this rehabilitation and restriction the lifespan of the dam has increased for another two decades but if heavy loaded vehicles are allowed to ply through the bridge then it may lead to further deterioration of the dam.
“We have decided to set up permanent barriers so that heavy vehicles with heights cannot pass through,” Mondal said.
He further said that night super buses will not be allowed to ply from this bridge since they carry heavy loads.
The Umiam dam and bridge was constructed in 1958 and completed in 1965. During these years, the bridge has been subjected to constant traffic movement leading to deterioration in the bridge structure.
