Shillong, May 9: The Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Nongalbibra circle has urged Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari to halt the ongoing process to transfer NH-217 project to the NHIDCL.
The request was made in a letter to Gadkari, which is in support of the objection raised by Constitutional Rights Forum president Greneth M. Sangma, who cited systemic negligence in the management of the project.
The FKJGP wants the project to remain under the State NH Division, which it said has proven more accountable and responsive to local monitoring.
Stating that there are critical failures in the project, the FKJGP highlighted the “paper-only” completion of the Tura—Dalu section that reveals hazardous, incomplete stretches. It also pointed out that the Shillong—Baghmara road has shown rapid deterioration almost immediately after its completion.
“This underscores the inability of NHIDCL-contracted firms to deliver infrastructure capable of withstanding the heavy rainfall and unique terrain of the Garo Hills. Handing over the Tura Bypass and Dainadubi-Darugiri expansion to NHIDCL, given their current track record, poses a direct threat to the safety and livelihood of our citizens,” the FKJGP said.
It also sought for an independent inquiry into the false completion reports and the technical failure of current NHIDCL works in the district.
