Editor,
Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I wish to draw urgent and unwavering attention to the increasingly perilous condition of the Mendipathar-Williamnagar road via Songsak an arterial route that sustains the social, economic, and administrative lifelines of thousands across North Garo Hills and East Garo Hills. The present state of this road has deteriorated far beyond mere inconvenience and now poses a critical threat to public safety, mobility, and livelihood.
During the inauguration of the Co-operative Multi-Purpose Centrifuged Latex Unit earlier this year, the Hon’ble Chief Minister had unequivocally stated that the tender notice for the road’s rehabilitation would be issued between October and November, followed by the issuance of work orders by February or March. This announcement had generated considerable hope among the residents, who have long suffered the consequences of this neglected stretch.
Regrettably, despite the passage of time, no tender notice has been released, nor has any preliminary activity indicated that the promised process is underway. For the people who depend on this road daily, the silence is not only disheartening but deeply troubling.
As a responsible and concerned citizen of this region, I have submitted two memorandums through the CM-Grievance portal, elaborating on the hardships endured by commuters and appealing for timely intervention. Distressingly, both submissions remain unanswered, leaving the community without clarity, assurance, or any indication of progress.
The repercussions of this prolonged administrative inaction have now turned tragic. Merely five to six days ago, a devastating collision occurred between a motorcycle and a Mahindra pick-up, resulting in the instant death of the motorcyclist. Residents strongly believe that the deplorable condition of the road marked by deep potholes, loose gravel, eroded edges, and dangerously uneven surfaces played a significant role in this fatal incident. This tragedy underscores the increasingly urgent need for corrective measures and stands as a stark reminder of the preventable dangers we are forced to endure.
For students, office-goers, patients in need of timely medical care, farmers transporting produce, traders, and transporters, this road is not merely a route it is the backbone of daily existence. Its current state has slowed commerce, disrupted crucial services, increased transportation costs, damaged vehicles, and instilled fear among commuters who must travel it out of necessity rather than choice. With the festive season approaching, the risk of further accidents grows even more acute.
Through your widely-read and respected newspaper, I earnestly and humbly appeal to the Hon’ble Chief Minister and the concerned authorities to take immediate cognizance of the gravity of this situation. While we understand that major repair and reconstruction work may require procedural timelines, we strongly request the government to at least undertake essential temporary repairs at the earliest to safeguard lives and restore a degree of safety to this crucial route.
The communities of Mendipathar, Songsak, and Williamnagar continue to place their trust in the administration and sincerely hope that the commitments made earlier will be honoured without further delay. Immediate, visible action would not only ease the burden of thousands of citizens but also reaffirm the government’s dedication to the welfare and safety of the people.
A concerned citizen
Via e-mail
