‘Plying of trucks through Shillong city contributed to traffic congestion’: Meghalaya Home Minister

SHILLONG:

Meghalaya Home Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui admitted that the plying of trucks through Shillong city has contributed to traffic congestion.

“In the past many years, traffic congestion inside the city has been reduced since heavy trucks which are en route to other states or even to Jaintia Hills region are plying through the Shillong Bypass. But we are witnessing some kind of traffic problem after the loaded trucks are again plying through the city in view of the crack at Dwar Ksuid bridge in Ribhoi district,” Rymbui said while speaking to reporters.

The state government is closely following up with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to complete the construction of the new Dwar Ksuid bridge on time, he added.

When questioned about the FIR filed by CSWO president, Agnes Kharshiing alleging the trucks are illegally plying through the city by using the Umiam bridge which is in a ‘dangerously weak condition’ the minister replied that the permissible limit to ply through the Umiam bridge is 40 metric tonnes.

Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge PWD (Roads), Prestone Tynsong had informed that they had decided to construct a subway in the form of a steel bridge along the Shillong Bypass as a temporary measure to restore the smooth flow of traffic along this important road.

Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner recently issued an order directing all heavy vehicles above 10 metric tons (MT) which are proceeding towards and coming from Jaintia Hills to ply via Shillong city in view of development of cracks on Dwar Ksuid Bridge, Umroi on Shillong Bye-pass.

(Edited by Christopher Gatphoh)