VIP road from Mawlai to Umroi hits roadblock
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The ongoing construction of the proposed 30 km VIP road from Mawlai Mawroh to Shillong Airport at Umroi has been hit by a major roadblock as land owners have decided not to part with their land in the face of inadequate monetary compensation.
At a public hearing held at Mawlai Mawtawar here on Saturday several land owners vented their anger over the government’s decision to construct the VIP road without provisions for monetary compensation.
Only a small fraction of land owners, mainly from Umshing, Mawroh and Mawsaitkhnam, expressed their willingness to part with their land without compensation.
The public hearing attended by local MLA FS Cajee, engineers from PWD department, Dorbar Shnong of Mawtawar, land owners and local residents evoked mixed response.
Land owners, mostly hailing from Mawtawar, opposed the proposed road construction saying that many dwelling houses would have to be demolished to pave way for the road which is undesirable.
Trying hard to convince the people about the benefits of the proposed road, Parliamentary Secretary and local legislator FS Cajee said that the road would bring about immense socio-economic development in the area and ensure several benefits for future generations.
“Road communication is the backbone of development and progress of the people in any particular area”, Cajee said in his address to the people.
Executive Engineer of PWD (Roads) Umsning division, KC Nongrum, informed that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the proposed VIP road has been completed.
He however mentioned that the DPR does not mention any compensation to the land owners.
The Dorbar Shnong of Mawtawar wanted the people to decide for themselves whether they wanted to part with their land or not.
“We cannot force people to part with their land if they don’t want to, but no matter what the road will surely be constructed,” Mawtawar Rangbah Shnong I Kharsyndon said.