By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: National Highway 40 which connects Meghalaya to Guwahati and other states of the country is currently in a pathetic state. The alibi given is that the road is under expansion but in the meanwhile vehicles are finding it tough to negotiate the crater sized potholes. The heavy rains last week have rendered the roads unsafe especially for heavily loaded trucks.
“It is very tough to drive on this road and one must constantly be on the lookout to avoid disaster,” a taxi driver said.
With mud, rain and slush all and the bad road all mixed up the GS Road has become a death trap with every possibility that vehicles may collide and a major accident may occur. This is especially on account of Tata Sumo vehicles which drive at break neck speed and empty trucks trying to get back in time for a second trip.
Since the work of four laning has slowed down due to rains, the drivers feel that the implementing agency should at least clear the road of slush that is flowing from the construction site and could cause cars to skid out of control.
“We are left with no other option but to drive slow in this treacherous road. Sometimes people curse us since they miss their flights and trains,” an annoyed driver added.
The four lane is expected to be completed in 2014 if there are no more controversies and it seems that the road condition along the highway would remain the same until the project is completed.
One of the passengers was also irritated by the fact that big potholes have appeared even at the Dam Site at Umiam which is so prone to accidents. Part of this road was repaired only last year but the Government so far has not yet thought of repairing the portion on the bridge that has huge potholes now.
“The Government should repair this stretch to avoid future accidents” a passenger from Guwahati added