Congress leader and Mylliem MDC Ronnie V Lyngdoh has strongly criticised the halt of the construction of the Shillong-Tamabil Road from Rilbong to Baniun.
“I am deeply saddened by this careless attitude because, ultimately, it is the general public who are suffering immensely,” he told Highland Post.
He pointed out that if a vehicle breaks down on this stretch of road it causes extreme traffic snarls and other people can be stuck in the resulting jam for hours.
“Why has the contractor fled? I have raised this matter in the district council when I heard of speculation that there was money demanded from the construction company and, whether this is a fact or not, it is the duty of the government to find out the reasons,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong had once said that getting appointments with the central government in New Delhi is easier now for members of the MDA government than during the Congress Party’s reign. However, Lyngdoh wondered what is the point of this ease if the people are still suffering.
“When you are saying that it is simple and easy to get an appointment in Delhi nowadays then what is the problem for you to go and meet the concerned ministers and authorities in Delhi and apprise them that this is a stretch of road that connects Shillong to several other districts and parts of the state?”
Stating that the very purpose of widening the Shillong-Tamabil Road is not only to ease travel but to facilitate trade and commerce with Bangladesh, he said, “If this road is completed it will take only an hour for us to reach Dawki (on the border with the neighbouring country). This road also connects West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills, Garo Hills and half of East Khasi Hills but if this is the state of affairs under this present government, where for less than an hour’s work we have to waste three-four hours in jams then what can we say.”
