Shillong, Jun 22: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who runs the Public Works Department (PWD), today visited the site of the major road collapse near Laitlyngkot village that has disrupted traffic and cut off the Shillong-Dawki Road.
The team inspected the stretch that was damaged yesterday. Following the inspection, Tynsong chaired a review meeting at Laitlyngkot to discuss steps for restoring connectivity.
Tynsong told reporters that repairs to the damaged road would take time because of the scale of the collapse. He said an alternative route has been identified through a by-lane near the KL Lyngkhoi stone quarry, connecting to Laitkynsew. The PWD has been asked to prepare estimates for the work, while the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corp Ltd (NHIDCL) has been directed to speed up the process of securing funds.
According to Tynsong, construction of the temporary road will begin once funds are released, with efforts focused on restoring connectivity as quickly as possible.
Tynsong was accompanied by Sohra MLA Gavin Mylliem, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal, senior government officials, representatives of NHIDCL and other officials involved in the Shillong-Dawki Road project.
Local residents reported that stones and soil had blocked the stream at that location, leading to water accumulation and eventual erosion of the roadbed. The rising water washed away a significant portion of the road, which subsequently plunged into the gorge below.
The collapse comes after a series of landslides and rockfalls along the hillside stretch from Laitlyngkot to Lyngkyrdem over the past several weeks and months. Those incidents have already claimed lives and damaged vehicles, raising concerns about the stability of the route.
