Limestone export from Meghalaya to Bangladesh through the Majai land custom station near Shella is a very old trade which also brought revenues to the State through weighbridges in the area.
However, despite the revenues collected every day from the export of limestone, the State government has paid little attention to the appalling road infrastructure in the area.
To reach Majai land custom station falling under Hima Sohra, trucks have to come through two roads – one coming from Tharia area under Elaka Sohbar and another from Lailad under Hima Sohra.
The condition of the two roads is pathetic although they are under the lookout of the Public Works Department.
The road from Sohbar and Nongjri to Majai is connected by the steel arch bridge over Wahrew river. But trucks have to pass through dilapidated roads and two old bridges especially at Umdud.
Further, the road in Lailad area is in a deplorable condition although the PWD has started to pave it with bitumen.
Earlier, the Executive Engineer of PWD (Roads) Sohra Division has prohibited multi axle trucks from plying over Umdud bridge due to its weak condition.
Although the authorities have restricted the load limit to only 12 tons, there are trucks that carry load beyond the limit. This posed a grave risk to the old Umdud bridge and it may cave in anytime resulting in a halt to export activities.
There are two weighbridges belonging to the Transport Department at Lailad and near Umdud bridge whose job is to enforce the load limit but these weighbridges have no CCTV cameras.
Local villagers have questioned the apathy of the State government to the hardship faced by them as far as the condition of roads and bridges is concerned.
They also said that Sohra MLA Balajied Kupar Synrem never took up the problem and “remained only a mere spectator for reasons best known to him”.
Faced with no other choice, the villagers have urged Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong to intervene in the matter before any tragic incident happens due to the present atrocious condition of the roads and Umdud bridge.
