From Our Correspondent
JOWAI: Several NGOs in Jaintia Hills have pressurized the Government, particularly the PWD (Roads) to expedite the completion of the under construction Kurliya Bridge which was delayed for nearly a decade now.
The Kurliya Bridge is supposed to be constructed across Myntang- the river that divides Block I with Sahsniang village and other parts of West Jaintia Hills District.
The bridge project was centrally sponsored under the Inter-State Connectivity Programme with a total project cost estimate of Rs. 428.65 lakhs sanctioned in 2003-04. The construction work was allotted to the RB Associates- by the PWD, North Division, Jowai. The estimate cost includes the 800m approach road on both side of the bridge.
To put another pressure on the concerned department, Headmen of Khatkasla, Psiar and Moolber villages along with leaders of the Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) met the Executive Engineers PWD, North Division, Jowai, L. Kharmawlong on Tuesday.
The team of delegation led by JSU President, Rikut N Parien apprised Kharmawlong about various problems faced by the people residing in the area due to non-completion of the bridge.
“The delay in construction of the bridge has badly affected residents of Block-I both socially and economically”, JSU chief, Parien said adding that people in the area mostly depends on agriculture for their livelihood but could not transport their produces either to a nearby local market at Sahsniang or to any other markets in Jaintia hills as no vehicle could cross the river and reach their villages.
The JSU President further informed that during times of emergency, residents of the area lost their beloved ones half-way as they could not reach the nearby Health centre at Sahsniang in time as they had to carry the patients on foot.
“There are cases that pregnant women with some complications died half-way before they could be reached to Sahsniang CHC”, he added.
Poor financial position of the government was the main reasons for the delay besides which the main contractor BN Sharma to whom the work was allotted expired and the construction was taken over by his son, informed Kharmawlong.
According to the Kharmawloang, the construction of Culverts, Retaining Wall and consolidation was completed but the black topping still remained incomplete thought it was sanctioned since 2005-06.