By Albert Thyrniang
On December 29 last year this writer drove from Rongblang to Nongstoin on the Mawkyrwat-Nongstoin road. A mere 40 km distance took two and half hours to cover. So you can imagine the condition of the road.The worst portion is on either side of Wah (River)Kyntei just about two kms from Nongstoin. My journey on this stretch was video-graphed and posted on Facebook and on some Whatsapp groups. It was also sent to the Chief Minister by email ([email protected]) drawing his attention to the unpardonable condition of the road. Some friends told me that Nongstoin-Maweit road will beat Nongstoin- Mawkyrwat road because they say that boulders and pits are so huge along the road that for vehicles under the ‘car’ category the road is out of bounds.
In 2016 the Nongstoin-Ranikor road in West and South West Khasi Hills districts (that covers a good part of Nongstoin-Mawkyrwat road and through the Wah Kyntei portion referred above) was proposed to be converted into a two lane road. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) was entrusted with the construction. The road runs through Rangblang, Umdohlun, Wakaji, Plangdiloin etc which are connected to the outside world by a pitiable, pathetic, bumpy, dusty and muddy road. It was all but ready to take off. All machinery and logistics were well stocked. The general public was excited to have a good quality road. However, pressure groups especially the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) opposed its construction alleging that the Centre’s intention was to facilitate uranium mining in and around Domiasiat and Mawthabah villages. The government made it clear that the intention was not uranium mining. Two public hearings were conducted – one in Umdohlun market and the other in Kynroh village. At both hearings the public overwhelmingly favoured the construction of the road. More than 90 per cent of the participating crowd raised their hands in favour of the proposed two lane road. The 10 per cent who opposed the project were mainly from outside West and South West Khasi Hills districts. There are records in DC offices of these two districts of the outcome of the public hearings. The media, both print and electronic also reported the exercise.
The ball was now on the court of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC). It was expected to go with the public sentiment. It was anticipated that it hears the wishes and voices of the local population and permits NHAI to build the road in the most backward district in the state. Instead the KHADC proved to be an obstructing agency and denied NOC to the executing agency. KHADC CEM Pynshngain N Syiem and later HS Shylla preferred to be in the good books of self-interested and self-centered pressure groups rather than thinking of the development of the state. Construction companies had to pack their bags and leave as a result. Had it not been for the foolishness of the concerned entities the farmers, the sick and the common people of area would have had a much more comfortable journey to Shillong, Nongstoin and Mawkyrwat. Now they still have to endure long, tedious and arduous rides.
As pointed elsewhere by this writer, the opposition to the construction of the said project on the pretext of uranium mining in Domiasiat and Mawthabah does not have weight. Uranium Corporation of India (UCIL) sources state that the silvery-grey metal is found all along ‘Meghalaya Uranium Belt’, that is, practically the entire western part of Meghalaya that runs right from Jaintia Hills through Khasi Hills to Garo Hills. After survey, the chemical element with the symbolU and atomic number 92,is found in Sohra, Tyrsad, Mawsynram, Mawlyngad (East Khasi Hills), Domiasiat and Mathahbah (South West Khasi Hills) and also in Garo Hills. It is highly unlikely that the KSU and other pressure groups will oppose two lane roads to Sohra, Mawsynram and to other places where the radioactive mineral is found. KHADC will also readily grant NOC for two or even four lane roads to the above destinations. Then why prevent only the Nongstoin-Ranikor two lane project? Should we not mention hypocrisy here? Why single out West and South West Khasi Hills? Do the KSU, KHADC and the state government consider the people of the two districts any way inferior? Are their votes less valuable? Should they not be part of the development story of the state? The Guwahati-Shillong (GS) Road might soon become a super highway of 6/8 lanes? Is that the priority when nearly 80 per cent of the populations in rural areas are denied basic amenities?
It must be crystal clear that two lane roads are not mandatory for uranium mining. Mining of the ‘yellow cake’ can take place even where only kutcha roads exist. Also uranium mining need not take place even if there is a two lane road. Then why oppose a two lane road? Another point to be kept in mind is that uranium mining in the state cannot happen without the consent of KHADC. So even with a two lane road to Domiasiat/Mawthabah UCIL cannot carry out mining without NOC from KHADC. So roads and mining are two separate issues. Welcome the two lane Nongstoin-Ranikor road but oppose uranium tooth and nail. Opposition and cancelling of a road which is the lifeline of West and South West Khasi Hills smacks of discrimination against these two districts. Investigations might also reveal unholy nexus between contractors and pressure groups.
The people of western districts should assert themselves. Demand for the road should be launched. Protests and dharnas should be he held in the premises of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) to press for the construction of the road. The youth of the area should take a stand for the development of the area! Resist and ignore the ‘outside’ pressure. Earlier there was a student union called West Khasi Hills Student Union (WKHSU)? Where has the union hibernated? Has it disappeared after the completion of the Wahkaji-Domiasiat road under the patronage of KHADC? Were they beneficiaries?
What is the view of the three MLAs and two MDCs directly affected by the road? Are they in favour of or against the road? Are they with their voters? The five gentlemen are Pius Marwien (Ranikor MLA), MacmillianByrsat (NongstoinMLA), ReniktonLyngdohTongkhar (NongstoinMLA), Gabriel Wahlang (Nongstoin MDC), CarnesSohshang (Mawkyrwat MDC). The MDC seat of Ranikor is currently vacant. The general public in the area say these representatives have spoken little on the necessity of the road. Valentine Thyrniang, a local leader who has been campaigning for the road says, “Our representatives are mere spectators. They have spoken nothing in the Assembly and outside the House. They are completely insensitive to the hardships of the common people arising out of the miserable condition of roads in their constituencies. What will they say after four years when election comes?” He further specifically points out that the MLAs are in the ruling coalition but don’t used their positions effectively.
According to sources the central government has entrusted the Nongstoin-Ranikor road to the state government. But the government might construct only an intermediate or a single lane road. Why should a sanctioned two lane road be converted into a single lane road? What will the government do with the rest of the money? And the most important question is, whether PWD do the job? If the work is done by PWD we know what kind of road we will get. A substandard road! After a year or two, potholes and ditches will surface all along the road. Due to corruption, or whatever reason PWD is incapable of making first class roads in rural areas.
After refusing to grant NOC by KHADC it was announced that Rs 100 crore would be sanctioned to repair the current road. Where has that money disappeared? Nothing has been done. Why are the NGOs who opposed the two lane road silent? Having thwarted the construction of the two lane road why are they not demanding the repair of the road? It just goes to show that the NGOs based outside the districts have no concern for the suffering, hardship and difficulties of rural people. They might be in places where they can gain to purchase expensive vehicles and benefit financially to fund elections. They like to ‘take up’emotive issues to be in the limelight. Inner Line Permit (ILP) is an issue they clamour. They even don’t mind physical fights to take credit only for themselves. Poverty, backwardness, illiteracy, real issues concerning common people are alien to their agenda.
Irresponsible organisations stalled the Nongstoin-Ranikor road aided by a spineless KHADC and even by state government.Promise of improving rural road conditions as a priority is an empty assurance. Can the people of West and South West Khasi Hills continue to remain mute spectators?