Commuters hoping that the end is in sight for the ongoing rehabilitation work at the Umiam Dam will have to wait longer for the repairs to be completed.
Certain modifications have been approved that will extend the renovation up to July, Power Minister Abu Taher Mondal informed today.
Work on the bridge running over the top of the dam is meant to extend its lifespan. The work began in December and has resulted in one side of the road being closed, which means that vehicles are only allowed through from one direction at a time, causing delays in travel time.
The government had to decide whether to plump for a bituminous top layer or concrete. IIT Guwahati, which has been appointed for technical support, recommended, after examining the structure, concrete and the state government has concurred. However, this means that the work might push the planned completion date from June-end to July.
“We know people are facing problems but the work is being done for the good of the people,” Mondal said.
The repairs had to be undertaken now or the bridge would have become utterly unusable, the Minister said, and the rehabilitation work will increase the lifespan of the dam by another 20 years, though figures of 40 years had been promised by others before.
