The work for improvement of the road pavement from Umtyngngar to Sohra is yet to start.
It may be mentioned that on March 3, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong had laid the foundation stone at Mawkdok for the improvement of riding quality and sealing of distressed pavement of the Shillong -Sohra Road from 22nd Km to 53rd Km under the Systematic Maintenance Programme.
The work would include blacktopping of the road from Umtyngngar to Mawsmai through Semi Dense Bituminous Macadam (SDBC).
However, till date the work for the road project is yet to take off even as residents complained that the poor condition of the road from Umtyngngar to Sohra has caused a lot of hardship to commuters.
“Everywhere along this road you will find potholes and the road pavement is in bad shape,” a resident of Mawjrong said.
Moreover, many residents of Mawjrong, Umdiengpoh, Nongrim, Pomsohmen and Saitsohpen have expressed concern over the delay of the project for improvement of riding quality and sealing of distressed pavement repair of the road from Umtyngngar to Sohra.
“Last time, they (PWD) said that they will start the work after the monsoon. Now it is November but there is no sign of the work getting started. Is this just a gimmick?” a resident of Saitsohpen said.
The total budget sanctioned for the road project starting from Umtyngngar to Sohra is Rs12 crore.
The road project was included in the Budget 2020-2021 of the State government under the ‘Systematic Maintenance Programme (SMP)’ implemented by the PWD Department for the repairing and improvement of roads.
The road from Umtyngngar to Sohra was last repaired under the Special Plan Assistance (SPA) Scheme in 2013.
Since then, no more repairs were made on the road and over time, the road has deteriorated and at various parts and stretches of the road, rots and cracks have developed due to overdue surface renewal.
Many local residents said the bad road condition to Sohra would deter tourists from visiting this world famous tourist destination.
