By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Leader of Opposition Conrad K Sangma has questioned the government on the construction of NH 51 which is not in conformity with the given specifications.
Although there are prescribed measurement for construction of the road in terms of breadth and length, he said that at the ground the PWD does not bother to follow the given specification.
“It is sad the portion of highway which is in Assam is very good. But once you enter Meghalaya travelling becomes a horrible experience on the same highway,” Sangma said during the Question Hour in the Assembly on Monday. He said that the Government should assign an officer at the level of Principal Secretary to see that the road is being constructed as per the prescribed norms.
James K Sangma (NCP) in his supplementary question asked why there is variance in the total pavement thickness along NH 51.
Replying to the supplementary question, the PWD Minister said that since this is a centrally sponsored project work was taken up as per provision sanctioned by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Earlier, replying to a question by Leader of Opposition, PWD Minister HDR Lyngdoh said that there are three ongoing sanctioned schemes in National Highway 51 and one in National Highway 44 (E).
When further pressed on who prepared the detailed estimates for the project, Lyngdoh said that even though the estimates were prepared by the State PWD but the final approval was done by the Union Ministry.
However, taking cognizance of the alleged non-compliance during construction along NH 51, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma assured the House that he would send officials to verify the allegations before the end of the financial year.