Shillong’s traditional
market, Iewduh is a
place where people from all over the state come to earn their bread and butter through trade and commerce. Yet the road that leads to Khlieh Iewduh upto the parking lot is indeed a real treat for those who wish to have a free roller coaster ride; of course a roller coaster ride filled with a lot of risk of one’s life. One look at the raod is enough to bring fear for there is a great chance of vehicles turning turtle due to the big and deep holes that obstruct the smooth running of the four wheelers. The issue has been lingering for long now but nothing has been done to make the road safe and motorable.
Numerous accidents have occured due to bad roads in various parts of the state and the road to Khlieh Iewduh could soon turn into one of the ill fated passages if the present situation is not rectified soon. The kinds of vehicles that ply on this road are commercial vehicles like trucks that are loaded with goods and busses and cabs that are packed with passengers. It is really dangerous to see the movement of these vehicles that seem to overturn each time they enter and exit the Khlieh Iewduh. A number of local taxis have also refused to take passengers through this road but what about those vehicles that are laden with goods and passengers who have to come to Iewduh daily?
It is really sad to see these people hold on to their seats with eyes wide –open and a refusal to even speak as long as they are not out of that stretch. On asking the daily commuters one sensed their fear, apprehension and helplessness for there is no one to hear their plight. The onslaught of monsoons has only made it worse.
Ever since the road was made motorable to facilitate parking at the Khlieh Iewduh Parking Lot this particular road was repaired only once by our honourable Governor during President’s Rule in 2009. Since then, it has been left unattended. Its present condition is pathetic.
One wonders why this road is left orphaned. Maybe the road will be repaired again only when we have the President’s Rule that could occur after the ensuing election, given the present political scenario. (Contributed by Jennifer Dkhar)