The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) road project in Rongbinggre under East Garo Hills District, which was initiated to provide connectivity to rural areas, has been abandoned midway, leaving the local community frustrated and concerned.
According to the Garo Hills Youth Solidarity (GHYS) there have been no reasons cited by authorities. “The ground for incomplete desertion remains silent. Is it not a misappropriation of public development funds or is it not money laundering?” GHYS president Endick Marak said.
He said the road, which was supposed to be completed several years ago, remains unfinished, with the construction site lying deserted and overgrown with vegetation. This has not only caused inconvenience to the local residents but also raises serious questions about the misappropriation of public funds, he added.
“We are shocked and disappointed by the abandonment of this critical infrastructure project. The lack of transparency and accountability in the use of public funds is alarming and demands immediate attention,” Marak said.
Pointing out that the PMGSY project was launched with the aim of providing all-weather road connectivity to rural areas he said the abandonment of the project in Rongbinggre has resulted in a significant loss to the local community, including lack of connectivity and access to essential services, loss of economic opportunities and livelihood and wastage of public funds and resources.
He further urged authorities to take immediate action to answer to the general public about grounds for desertion, investigate the causes of the abandonment, and to identify those responsible for the misappropriation of public funds and to take corrective action to complete the project and ensure accountability.
