Mendipathar MLA, Marthon J Sangma, has come out against the extremely slow construction of the Damra-Bajengdoba road despite the contractor starting the work more than one year ago.
The 37km road between Damra in Assam and Bajengdoba in Meghalaya is currently in one of the worst states with literally no repairs being undertaken by the PWD Department while the ongoing construction has hardly made any progress. The contractor, Badri Rai Constructions, has only been working with a few excavators and JCBs, locals have said, and there are only ever a few labourers seen at work.
“The contractor started the work more than a year ago and there was relief for the people of the district. However, within just a month or so, they moved most of their machinery to other locations and work became extremely slow. This is hampering movement of people and causing everyone anger,” said Marthon.
Earlier due to the PWD not repairing any of the sections of the road, residents from the district got down to making repairs themselves. Within a day, they were able to fill up most of the potholes. However as only mud sand was used, most of the repairs have worn off and the road has returned to its formerly terrible state.
“Where is the PWD and why have they not put pressure on these contractors to do their job? The current government is also to blame for the lackadaisical attitude being shown by those that need to do their work on emergency mode,” the MLA added. “Imagine, they promised the Chief Minister that work would be started on a full scale in October this year. If they can lie to the CM, they definitely don’t seem to be in the mood to do any form of work. Due to their laziness, the entire district is suffering.”
Marthon opined that if the contractor was not interested, they should just quit and give it to someone who was interested in getting work done.
The contractor has set up camp in the village of Damas where a few heavy machines could be seen lying idly.
