Earth cutting prohibited along bypass to Shillong

SHILLONG: Taking cognizance of the mudslides that took place along the Shillong Bypass, including Thangshalai, due to unauthorised quarrying and earth cutting, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo has cracked the whip on the basis of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order.

The Deputy Commissioner in a notification stated that no person, company or authority will be allowed to carry such activitivies without obtaining valid quarry permit and other clearance certificates prescribed by the Environment Impact Assessement notification and Ministry of Environment and Forest. The notification stated, "Such indiscriminate quarrying along the Shillong Bypass will invite prosecution under Section 188 Cr PC" with immediate effect.

According to a source in the Police department, the clearance process of the earth slid will continue for another three to four days. The work is being carried out by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).

It's nearly a week that the byepass has been closed due to landslide caused by rampant quarrying, thereby throwing the traffic in Shillong into intermittent chaos This is despite the odd-even vehicle numbers which are allowed to ply in the city roads. In fact, this is also a reason as to why the inter-State vehicles are also taking the city roads.