By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Joint Action Committee, an umbrella organisation of different NGOs of Ri-Bhoi district has once again asked the State Government to construct the four–lane road from the Umsning Bypass.
The request came after a JAC delegation met PWD Minister HDR Lyngdoh on Friday to discuss the matter.
According to JAC, the report of the fact-finding Committee constituted by the State Government indicates that there is no clear support for the government’s decision to construct the four-lane road along the existing road at Umsning, since 50 per cent were for and 50 per cent against the proposed plan.
“We extend our suggestion to the State Government to carry out the construction work through the Umsning Byepass after understanding that there is indifference in the opinion of the people towards construction of the project from the existing road,” JAC Chairman Donkupar Sumer said after the meeting.
The NGO leaders also claimed that the land owners along the Umsning Bypass stretch have expressed their willingness to welcome the project.
“Government should consider the readiness of the people to part with their lands by speeding up the project,” the leader added.
He also informed that the majority of the people particularly residents of Umsning proper and Patarim village were against the construction of the project from the existing road. Those in protest against the project have even threatened to move the court if the construction is carried out from existing road, he added.
The PWD Minister, on his part, told the delegation that the government would first examine the report submitted by the Committee and then take a decision on the matter.