National Highway-6, a single life-line means of transportation between Shillong – Jowai – Khliehriat and then to Malidor while entering Assam is indeed a pivotal artery connecting the region to development and growth while easing and aiding the domain nearer to health, education, business as well as trade and commerce with the State capital as well as the other neighbouring states.
Amusingly, with Meghalaya celebrating its 50th year of statehood and the nation at its 75th year, the physical state of the NH-6 along the stretch of Shillong – Jowai – Malidor seems to have prematurely aged, torn and worn out completely without any attention by the government either at the State or Central level. As a result, the public and the commuters plying on this very stretch of road on a daily basis became victims of awful and dreadful road travel consequences.
The ongoing condition of the NH-6 has turned into woes and sorrow for the people particularly the residents of the Jaintia Hills region of whom this very highway is part and parcel of their livelihood besides other basic necessities. With gaping potholes at all stretches, damaged and rough road surface, fumes and dust has exposed the travellers and commuters to undesired health hazards besides relentless and ceaseless traffic jams due to endless vehicular breakdown. This has adversely affected the general public causing anxiety and agony and further at many times leading to damage and loss of their moveable properties.
The hue and cry of the public on this matter never attracted the attention of the government, the bitterness and resentment of the people means nothing to the authorities. Even in this 21st Century, public money which is basically meant for developing good roads and highways for the people of the State has turned into a gamble for the fortune of those in power leaving the public with nothing but chaos and dilemma.
In a country like India in which democracy is the system of governance, the public is the ultimate force of forming or breaking the government. The year 2023 is indeed the crucial year for the people of Meghalaya as the State is all set for the Assembly elections. The present MDA Government has proven itself as a failure and serving the public with nothing more than frustration and complication on all issues.
However, the big question is, are we the people ready to bring a new change in the system of governance? Or are we to become items or objects for politicians with money to easily buy and use? The answer is in everyone’s sleeve. I am reminded of the great saying, “There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.”
I am a firm believer of a principle that says “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much” and therefore in conclusion I would like to appeal to all to let us be the change we want to see as we move forward to govern ourselves because the truth is ‘the change started with each one of us’.
(The writer is a practising lawyer and resides at Dkhiah West, East Jaintia Hills)
