By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Taking strong exception to the decision of the State Government to execute the four laning process through the proposed Umsning Bypass, Leader of Opposition Conrad K Sangma said that the decision would have negative impact on people who are dependent on Umsning market for their livelihood.
“The Government should be aware that constructing the four laning through Umsning Bypass would take away the livelihoods of the people. Infact, the economy of this whole area would be totally shattered on account of this call,” Sangma said while addressing a press conference here on Friday.
Sangma also questioned the wisdom of constructing the four laning through the Umsning Bypass, when in other locations like Jorabat and Nongpoh, the same is executed through the existing highway.
He also observed that if the four laning is constructed through the bypass then large areas of agricultural land would be destroyed.
While criticizing the PWD Minister HDR Lyngdoh for failing to keep the assurance he made in the House, Samgma said, “The PWD Minister should have the conviction to abide by the Govern-ment’s own assurance given on the floor of the Assembly.”
Terming the decision as “very wrong,” the leader of opposition demanded reconsideration of the government stance.
“I sympathize with both sides (pro-bypass and pro-existing road), but when it comes to taking a decision, the views of the majority must be respected,” Sangma said.
Last year, a fact finding committee was constituted by the government with the objective of breaking the deadlock over the four lane at Umsning by ascertaining views of the landowners of Umsning area.
The landowners claimed that the report of the fact finding committee had found that 129 persons stood for pro-existing road while there were only 124 pro-bypass protagonists.
Mean-while the landowners and the RBSU have decided to file public interest litigation (PIL) against the state government for betraying them by taking a decision to construct the four lane from Umsning bypass.
The decision to file the PIL was taken at a public meeting held at Lumroman community hall in Umsning.
The meeting also questioned the government’s plan to dismantle the Presbyterian Church at Umsning Patarim.