Shillong, Dec 7: Power Minister Abu Taher Mondal on Friday said rehabilitation and retrofitting works have to a great extent improve the Umiam Dam and the bridge even as he informed that very soon the government will come up with an alternative road to Shillong.
Speaking to media persons, Mondal said, “Technically, it has improved a lot because we have done a thorough study on the safety of the bridge through IIT Guwahati and they have given us some recommendations and based on the recommendations whatever needed to be done we are doing that one and that’s why restrictions have been put in place.”
Admitting that the restriction imposed on heavy vehicles has caused a lot of inconveniences to many, the minister however said but safety of the Dam is of utmost importance.
“I am very sorry to say that many commuters have been facing inconvenience as per to and fro travelling is there but then safety of the Dam comes first and with that safety even may be the safety of the people, who are living downstream, the safety of the people who are travelling over the Dam is also comes in. That is why we have restricted,” he said.
Mondal also informed that the state government is taking all initiatives to have an alternative road and “hopefully very soon we will get that alternative road to Shillong.”
Asked, the minister said that the lifespan of the Dam has increased to 15 or 20 years.
“However…it will all depend on natural condition, seismic conditions. If there is a big earthquake, we cannot say what will happen and how the bridge will deteriorate. So far the condition is better because seepage has been reduced,” he said while adding “We are having third-party audit also of the entire system, we are having our own agencies to monitor the work and even MeECL engineers are on the job.”
To a question if another study would be required after 20 years, Mondal however said, “We have not studied on that basis. We have gone for studies as per the present condition and what is the remedy. In the future perspective, we need to take a call on that. Not yet. Maybe we will conduct that type of study if it is required.”
On the power scenario in Meghalaya, the minister said, “So far so good, we are very much comfortable and we are working to see that this time also our esteemed consumers are getting uninterrupted power supply and we are working on it but then you never know we are keeping our fingers cross.”
Read: DCIC holds annual Christmas Pop-up Sale; handmade crafts on display
WATCH:
Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.
Also, Follow us on-
Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub
Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020
Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub
Download our app from playstore – Northeast Media Hub
