4 more months to complete Umiam bridge renovations: Meghalaya Leader of Oppn Ronnie Lyngdoh

Meghalaya Leader of Opposition Ronnie V Lyngdoh said that another 4 months is left for the completion of the Umiam bridge renovations.

He said this after he and his fellow Congress legislators, Opposition Chief Whip Saleng Sangma,  Dr Celestine Lyngdoh, Gabriel Wahlang and Charles Marngar, on Monday, conducted an inspection of the ongoing work. 

He further said that the purpose of the visit was to find a solution to the hardships faced by the commuters.

Speaking to media, Lyngdoh said, “We have come here representing the Congress Legislature Party after hearing the hardships being faced by the people because of the renovation work taken up by the MECL. The movement of traffic has been restricted, this has been going on for two months and will be going on for minimum another four months.”

“We have come here, along with MECL officers and PWD officers, to find a solution, short term and long term to ease this hardship being faced by the people. The MECL officers have said that due to the Dam Safety Act, the dam cannot be converted into a National Highway,” he added.

He further said that he hoped the MECL and PWD will find a way to increase power supply to the state through the dam as well as ensuring safety to the people living downstream.

Lyngdoh expressed disappointment about the fact that the officers had suggested renovation of the bridge to the government 10 to 12 years back but said that “it is better late than never.”

It may be mentioned that renovation work started on the bridge on December 13, 2023 amid growing concerns about the detoriating condition of the bridge, posing risk to commuters.

The Umiam bridge is a transport bridge over the Umiam Lake situated in Ri Bhoi district in Meghalaya. It is a key connection point for visitors travelling from Guwahati to Shillong and vice-versa.

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