Shillong, Feb 6: Power Minister AT Mondal on Tuesday said the date for lifting the Umiam bridge will be fixed very soon.

“On the day the bridge will be lifted, we will go for a complete closure and ensure no vehicle is allowed to ply through the bridge for four to eight hours,” Mondal said while speaking to reporters.

He said the department will be sitting with the coordination committee comprising MeECL, PWD, Transport department, district administrations (of East Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi) and police, for taking a call on the matter.

“After the meeting, we will fix the exact date when we will lift (the Umiam bridge) for replacing the bearings,” he said while urging vehicles to use the existing alternative routes available to get to their respective destinations.

He informed that the repairing of the dam will take another 3-4 months to complete.

Asked, Mondal said, “At present, heavy vehicles are not allowed to ply as only small vehicles are allowed to pass through the dam but on the day the bridge will be lifted that day four to eight hours – we will go for a complete closure. After the bridge has been lifted in its required position then we put ramps on both sides of the bridge and will allow the vehicle to pass especially small vehicles (not exceeding 4 MT). Small vehicles and ambulances will be allowed to pass through it.”

“Similarly on the day when we lower the bridge after replacing the bearings that day, we will not allow any vehicle to pass through the dam.”

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