Shillong: Heavy rains destroyed a vital stretch of the Shillong-Tamabil Road near Laitlyngkot, cutting off the main corridor linking Shillong to Pynursla and Dawki. The collapse hit below the Umpareit bridge, severing a key trade route with Bangladesh. Officials now expect repairs to take a long time.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong inspected the site Monday alongside NHIDCL and PWD teams. The government is currently vetting a potential diversion through Umthli, Iew Mawiong, and Nongthymmai to bypass the wreckage. This route would use a path through a local stone quarry to rejoin the main road. Tynsong warned that the fix remains complex. He stated, "the damage was extensive and immediate restoration would not be possible."
The proposed detour only handles light motor vehicles. Heavy trucks must wait for a full repair. Meanwhile, authorities have barred pedestrians and drivers from the immediate collapse site to avoid falling rocks and further slides. Locals blame the disaster on poor construction practices. They allege that dumping debris and earth near the bridge blocked a natural stream, causing water to pool and erode the embankment.
Comments