Meghalaya NGOs caution against plying of trucks on weak bridges, seek CM's intervention

RESUBELPARA:

Various NGOs of Dainadubi in North Garo Hills (NGH) Meghalaya, met the Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma on Thursday, seeking his intervention into the strategically important BUG bridge at Gairong in the district.

The BUG bridge has been in the limelight after reports of illegal coal trucks, carrying vast amounts of coal, were secretly using the route to transport coal to nearby Goalpara district in Assam.

The bridge was then precariously positioned leading to many residents fearing its immediate collapse.

“The bridge is the lifeline of people living on both sides of the river. It is also the only route to the seed farm at Sambrak and to the Community and Rural Development (C&RD) Block of Kharkutta. There are no alternative routes for the local population living around the areas,” said the NGOs.

It may be mentioned that the dilapidated bridge apparently collapsed on March 1 leading to students, teachers, parents, businessmen, patients and daily wagers being affected.

“The life of the local population including their economic wellbeing has been severely affected. We demand the construction of a subway for now to allow movement of people and goods while the bridge is worked on,” said the NGOs.

(Edited by Christopher Gatphoh)

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