Shillong, May 15: A complaint has been lodged with the PWD (Roads) in South Garo Hills against executing agencies over maintenance failures of roads under the PMGSY in the district.
Social activist Greneth M. Sangma in the complaint highlighted negligence exhibited by executing agencies, M.P. Agarwala Pvt. Ltd. and J.C./M/S M.P. Khaitan.
Greneth raised significant infrastructure concerns on several key roads like the Karukol-Nengkong-Emangre-Tolegre Road, Nengkong Songmong to Upper Dosogre, Mindikgre to Gara Songgital and Emangre to Nokatgre.
He said these roads, which span several kilometers and were sanctioned for substantial government funding, are suffering from major maintenance lapses.
He said the Karukol-Nengkong-Emangre-Tolegre project covers 16 km and saw an allocation of ₹1722.65 lakhs, yet 970 meters of black topping remain incomplete. The 9.27 km Nengkong Songmong to Upper Dosogre stretch, sanctioned for ₹1628.70 lakhs had a massive landslip that has eroded the black topping while mud fill is obstructing the free flow of a stream.
Further, he said the Mindikgre to Gara Songgital project that was sanctioned for ₹650.66 lakhs has a collapsed slab culvert near the endpoint of the road, posing threat to connectivity and safety of about 642 inhabitants of Mindikgre and Gara Songgital villages.
The Emangre to Nokatgre road sanctioned at ₹170.81 lakhs deemed 100 per cent completed in May 2021 is not receiving the mandatory five -year routine maintenance required under the Meghalaya Road Maintenance Policy, he added.
Greneth said the consequences of these maintenance failures are dire as many residents, including school children, are struggling to traverse the poorly maintained roads, which jeopardises their safety and access to education.
He noted a personal example of distress as his vehicle became immobilized on a neglected stretch, highlighting the urgent need for action. He demanded immediate attention to restore critical infrastructure and adhere to maintenance obligations.
Additionally, he urged the department to take action against the responsible agencies and conduct a spot inspection to address the extensive damages.
