Shillong, feb 17: Repairing of the Sonapur bridge over Lukha River in East Jaintia Hills District will be completed before February 28.
Informing this on Thursday after chairing a meeting with officials of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to review the progress of work, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge PWD (Roads) Prestone Tynsong said, “I am happy to inform you that maybe on the 28th of this month, we will be able to complete the entire repairing or retrofitting work which is on right now in that particular bridge.”
The meeting was also attended by the secretary and chief engineer of the PWD.
Tynsong further informed that the district administration of Khliehriat has been asked to restrict the movements of commercial vehicles for a few days so that the retrofitting as well as repairing can be completed within the stipulated time.
When asked if any study has been conducted to determine the life span and safety of the Sonapur bridge, the deputy chief minister said the experts from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways have conducted a detailed survey of the bridge.
“After the retrofitting and repairing of the bridge is completed, immediately on March 2-4, they will have some kind of trial on the capacity of the bridge as to how much load will it be able to carry and for how many years – that technical test will be done after the repairing is completed,” he said.