Government’s apathy irks villagers, local MLA SK Sunn

A Correspondent

SHILLONG: The inordinate delay on the part of the PWD to restore and rehabilitate the damaged internal roads of different villages of Marbisu Sirdarship including the delay in reconstruction of dismantled footpaths and bus sheds from Lad Mawreng Village up to Pomlum has frustrated not only the villagers and the respective headman but also the local MLA SK Sunn.

On Tuesday, Sunn went for an inspection of these villages in the presence of respective headman and village functionaries accompanied by Executive Engineer, PWD Shillong South Division and his SDO.

Sunn informed that in the process of construction of standard two laning of Shillong - Nongstoin - Tura Highway by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the existing road was widened to make way for the expanded road width of standard two laning and in the process, all structures and utilities standing on the way like footpath, bus sheds, electric poles were dismantled.

Further, in the process of construction of standard 2 lanning Shillong - Nongstoin - Tura Road under MoRTH by the construction company BSC & CC (JV), State Internal Roads were used constantly for transportation of over-loaded construction materials and heavy machinery and as a result, the internal roads - Pdengshnong Marbisu - Mawpyllun - Tyngkhit road, approach road to Kreit Marbisu, internal road of Marbisu, Traw, Saitkhlieh, Lwai, and Sohram were damaged beyond repair.

In 2018, during the Budget session, Prestone Tynsong, PWD Minister, in reply to a question by Sunn, though admitted that the constant use of the above roads by the construction company viz., BSC & CC (JV) for transportation of over-loaded construction materials and heavy machinery had damaged the above roads beyond repair, however, denied that the construction company is responsible to restore and rehabilitate the damaged road but instead, own government’s responsibility to restore and rehabilitate the roads.

Meanwhile, Sunn informed that the Joint Action Committee of 16 villages from Lad Mawreng to Pomlum, in 2018 in a letter to the local MLA, informed that though they had taken up the matter with the CE, PWD (NH) right from August 2017, yet they have not reached anywhere.

The Mawphlang MLA informed that in the meantime, school-going children and the public at large had to suffer for want of footpaths and bus sheds.

He stated that after one year has gone without any initiative on the part of the government for restoration and rehabilitation of damaged internal roads including reconstruction of footpaths and bus sheds dismantled in the process of widening of the road, he again raised the matter in the Meghalaya Assembly in 2019.

The Deputy Chief Minister in-charge PWD informed that the proposal for restoration and rehabilitation of damaged internal roads, structures like footpaths, bus sheds dismantled by construction company have been submitted to the government and awaiting sanction.

SK Sunn informed that considering the immense public sufferings and safety of school-going children he has been actively pursuing the matter regularly and at equal intervals and informed that in his latest letter addressed to the Chief Secretary on January 30, 2020, he had written that he expected to receive a positive response from the Government and if not, he would be left with no other option but to approach the court of law as an MLA for necessary relief in the interest of the public of his constituency.

Sunn informed that State Chief Secretary invited him to his office and sought for time to sort out the problem.

PWD Officials informed that till such time schemes are considered and sanctioned by the government, their hands are tied but, having seen the extent of damage of the internal roads and urgent necessity for reconstruction of footpaths for safety of school-going children, they informed that they will pursue the matter with their higher authority once again for an urgent positive response to the matter.

Sunn, however, informed that considering the inordinate delay and continued Public sufferings, PWD may also consider giving a NOC to Local MLA for urgent restoration and rehabilitation of the internal roads.

Also Read: Impact of climate change in Bangladesh a bigger threat: SK Sunn

Also Watch: Doul Govinda Temple agog as Holi begins