By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The alternative road promised by the Airport Authority of India and the district administration of Ri Bhoi to the San Shnongs of Ri Bhoi, near the Shillong Airport at Umroi is yet to be implemented in the field.
The San Shnongs half belonging to Mawlai Constituency and Ri Bhoi Constituency including— Madan Mawkhar, Umrynjah, Umden Umsaitprah, Umden Mission and Umden Arka recently alleged that the AAI and the State Government through the PWD department have decided to forcefully close down the road without the knowledge of these villages alienating the villagers from the rest of the district.
However, in the recent statement given by the AAI, assurances have been given to the villagers that the roads would not be closed till the alternate road is constructed by the State government.
Mawlai MLA FS Cajee said that till date there has been no development in this field.
“The villagers are still not clear about the whole arrangement and what we want to see is action and until the work is not started we cannot really be sure”, he asserted.
Meanwhile, when contacted, the Rangbah Shnong (Headman) of Umden Arka S Kurbah expressed disappointment over the adamant attitude of the administration (Ri Bhoi) saying “They keep on sending us from one place to another which is difficult. It seems as if they don’t want to talk about this matter.”
Till date, they haven’t closed down the road but we have decided to call for another meeting with all the other Rangbah Shnongs on Tuesday to discuss on this issue as soon as possible.
He further alleged that payment for the land given by the village to the AAI is still pending and the so called ‘footpath’ that the AAI promised long time back has still not yet been completed.
Meanwhile, no comments were received from the AAI officials despite all attempts to contact them.