1. In Meghalaya’s Ri Bhoi district, Section 144 of the CrPC has been enforced due to concerns about the Umiam bridge’s structural integrity.
2. This measure restricts activities to ensure public safety and order.
3. The decision follows recommendations from a safety audit report by IIT Guwahati, which advised limiting heavy-loaded vehicles on the bridge.

Shillong, Nov 07: In the Ri Bhoi district of Meghalaya, Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) has been invoked by the District Magistrate in response to concerns about the Umiam bridge’s structural integrity. This legal measure restricts various activities in the area as a precautionary step to maintain public safety and order.

One of the significant restrictions imposed under Section 144 is the prohibition of heavy vehicles exceeding a permissible limit of 15 MT gross weight (total weight of vehicles plus weight of goods) from plying over the Umiam bridge, specifically the girder beams and deck slab that require retrofitting due to distress numbers.

The decision to restrict heavy-loaded vehicles over the Umiam bridge stems from a Safety Audit report conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati, on the bridge over the spillway of the Umiam Concrete Dam. The audit report recommended controlling the movement of heavily loaded vehicles on the bridge, highlighting structural concerns.

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In response to the IIT-Guwahati’s findings, the Power Department reviewed the report and issued advice to prohibit heavy-loaded vehicles from using the Umiam dam bridge until necessary retrofitting is carried out. The department also emphasized that the maximum permissible load for the Umiam concrete bridge should not exceed 15 tons.

As part of the safety measures, the department requested a revision of the standing order regarding the gross weight of vehicles allowed to ply over the Umiam bridge. Their proposal aims to lower the permissible limit from the existing 20 tons to a safer 15 tons, reflecting the IIT-Guwahati’s recommendations.

This proactive step is essential to ensure the structural integrity and safety of the Umiam bridge, a critical transportation link in the region. By implementing these restrictions and recommendations, the authorities aim to prevent any potential risks and safeguard public safety.