Shillong, Oct 20: The Garo Students’ Union (GSU) has written an open letter to the three MLAs of South Garo Hills seeking joint action on the deplorable condition of National Highway-217.
The letter was addressed to Rongara MLA Rakkam A. Sangma, Chokpot MLA Sengchim N. Sangma and Baghmara MLA Kartush R. Marak GSU president Zikku Balgra N. Marak said the Baghmara-Karongre stretch of NH-217 (old NH-62), the lifeline connecting Dudhnoi in Assam to Dalu via Baghmara, is severely deteriorating.
“This is not just about potholes. This is about patients who cannot reach Baghmara Civil Hospital in time, students missing classes and examinations, farmers unable to transport produce, essential commodities becoming costlier, villagers of Tojanang, Dompai and other areas being forced to repair roads themselves with boulders and mud,” the letter stated.
The union said protests, memorandums and non-cooperation movements have already taken place, but issues of delayed land acquisition compensation, stalled tendering and confusion over transfer of the project to NHIDCL continue to delay a permanent solution.
The GSU appealed the MLAs to act together as one voice for South Garo Hills, push Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma for immediate intervention with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for land acquisition approval, compensation payment and commencement of tendering, demand accountability and quality all-weather construction, and ensure interim emergency repairs from Baghmara to Karongre and Baghmara to Dangsa Awe till full work starts.
“South Garo Hills is one of the oldest districts but remains among the most neglected in road connectivity. History will remember whether our leaders stood together when people needed them most,” the GSU said, urging the MLAs to place NH-217 as top priority in their next meeting with the Chief Minister.
