From Our Correspondent
NONGPOH: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), North Khasi Hills District, recently met officials of Ramky Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., which is undertaking construction of the four-lane highway project in Ri-Bhoi district.
During the meeting the KSU leaders demanded immediate repair of NH-40 which has been in a very bad shape for a long time now.
KSU North Khasi Hills president, Ferdynald Kharkamni, informed after the meeting that the student’s body expressed its concern over the bad condition of the NH-40 in Ri-Bhoi badly affecting the daily commuters in the State.
The Union attributed the bad shape of the NH-40 to the long rainy season and also due to the ongoing construction of the four-lane highway.
“During the meeting with the official of the Ramky Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd the Union asked the company to carry out repair work at the earliest for smooth traffic flow, safety and riding comforts of road users in accordance with the NHAI Article 12.2 of concession agreement which cites that the concessionaire shall maintain at its cost the existing lane of the project highway,” Kharkamni said.
He also said that the company officials have agreed to start the repair work and have asked for 2-weeks time to complete the repair work on NH-40.
The Union also expressed their concern over the delay and slow progress of the four-lane project, saying that the company had sought a deadline of 2 years to complete the project (December 2012 deadline) but till date the project has hardly achieved 60 per cent completion.
“The KSU urges the State Government to intervene so that the project could be completed within the set deadline,” Kharkamni said.
Meanwhile, the KSU strongly denounced an incident where four Nepalis assaulted two Khasis at Madan Umwang under Block II area last week.
It may mentioned that on 14 November four Nepalis under the leadership of one Manor Thapa assaulted two Khasi men identified as Bear Mukhing (49) and Bring Mukhim (37) without any provocation.
Kharkamni, while denouncing the incident, asked the police department to take stern action against those involved in the attack and also to take initiative to ensure the safety and welfare of the local community residing in the border areas especially in Block II area.