Meghalaya: Umiam bridge retrofitting faces prolonged delays despite initial 4-5 month completion target

The Umiam bridge, a critical link for Meghalaya and the primary gateway to Shillong city, continues to face prolonged delays in its retrofitting and maintenance work. Initiated on December 14, 2023, based on recommendations from the Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati, the repair efforts were initially slated for completion within 4-5 months. However, as of the first week of July, the project remains far from finished.

Originally targeted for completion by April 8, 2024, subsequent updates by Sanjay Goyal, CMD of MeECL, suggested a revised timeline extending possibly into May. Despite these adjustments, ongoing construction activities indicate a further delay, with no definitive confirmation of completion by the end of July.

According to a government statement in April, significant progress had been made, with approximately 60 percent of the drilling and grouting works completed. However, challenges persist, affecting daily commuters who rely heavily on the bridge's accessibility.

State Power Minister AT Mondal recently addressed the issue, setting a new target for early August completion. The refurbishment and retrofitting efforts not only aim to rectify structural issues but also extend the lifespan of the Umiam dam by an estimated 35-40 years. The dam, integral to hydroelectric power generation since its construction by the Assam Electricity Board in the early 1960s, has necessitated these repairs due to multiple cracks.

The delays have significantly disrupted travel patterns, particularly the route between Shillong and Guwahati, which now experiences extended delays at the dam site, adding up to one to two hours to the journey. Alternative routes via Shillong airport and NEIGRIHMS have been suggested, albeit these routes are currently in poor condition, adding an extra hour to travel times due to narrow roads passing through numerous villages.

The retrofitting of the Umiam bridge remains a priority to restore normalcy to commuters and ensure the structural integrity of this vital infrastructure.