By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The boundary wall of the Civil Hospital, Shillong which collapsed in the recent past is still lying in the same position. The water supply lines which passes through the same area was however restored immediately after the collapse.
Further ahead in Barik the road which was dug out by PWD men is also lying in the same manner. The portion was dug out for some repairing work but has not been carpeted with tar. With over a month now, the stretch from Civil Hospital to Barik is in a state of mess as it is causing large disruption to the movement of both vehicle and public.
This road which connects the National Highway from Barik onwards is also used by school students but the authority ironically is yet to wake up to the urgent call of commuters.
Many said that the situation turns worse during rainfall. “When rain comes, with rainwater and moving traffic the site is just not walkable,” said a working lady.
Meanwhile, Secretary, PWD (R & B) PSG Lyngdoh,said the work is taking time since PHE is still laying pipelines in the area. He also said that there is close coordination among all departments regarding the work.
Chief Engineer, PHE H Prasad, however said that the matter is the other way round. “It happened due to the JCB- led excavation work taken by the hospital authorities in the construction of a hospital building which later subsided and damaged the pipe joints. If the PWD wants we can do a joint inspection at the site,” he said.
On the allegation by the PWD Secretary that the PHE is still involved in pipe laying works at the site, the Chief Engineer clarified that the restoration of pipe works was done on the second day after the collapse of the said wall.
He also said that the pipes in the footpath alongside the wall are ten ft deeper and there is no question of any damage.