Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong today said that the ‘technical defect’ in the Bailey Bridge across the Dwar Ksuid river along the Shillong By-Pass in Ri-Bhoi district could be due to overloading.
“I think one of the reasons could be overloading over the bridge. As of now I am collecting the details,” Tynsong who hold the PWD (Roads) portfolio said.
When asked if the Bailey Bridge was poorly constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the Deputy Chief Minister said that the bridge was built with prefab instruments.
Tynsong said that he will not say that the bridge was not properly constructed.
“The foundation and concreting was done by NHAI. They (BRO) laid the Bailey posts. So I don’t see that it was not properly constructed,” he added.
Tynsong has informed that the movement of traffic at the Bailey Bridge over Dwar Ksuid has resumed.
“The planking on the bridge has been repaired and movement of traffic has started from around 2:30 pm-3 pm,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister also informed that authorities have given instruction that the load capacity on the bridge should be within 40 tons.
“We have instructed the district administration and Superintendent of Police (Ri-Bhoi district) to do the needful,” Tynsong added.
The Deputy Chief Minister also informed that tomorrow, there will be a review meeting by the Chief Secretary, to ensure the smooth movement of traffic in the bridge like it was during the inauguration day.
It may be mentioned that yesterday, Ri Bhoi Deputy Commissioner, Rossette M. Kurbah in an order passed under Section 144 CrPC has stopped vehicular movement over the bridge.
However, vehicles weighing within 10 tons only are allowed to ply through the concrete Dwar Ksuid Umroi Bridge, the order said.
The 230 feet Bailey bridge is a temporary structure with a capacity of 40 tons built to cater to heavy vehicles and the loaded trucks passing through the Shillong By-Pass.
Constructed by the BRO after the State government had consulted with the NHAI to come out with a temporary alternative to facilitate movement of loaded trucks, the bridge was inaugurated on March 25, 2021 by Tynsong.