NONGSTOIN: Leaders and members of five organisations from West Khasi Hills District comprising of West Khasi Students’ Union (WKSU) Nongstoin Circle, Western People Movement (WPM), Western Youth Welfare Council (WYWC), Hynniewtrep People Social Organisation (HPSO) and the Western Youth Federation (WYF) on Tuesday met the Chief Executive Engineer (CEE) PWD (Roads) L Passah to discuss the department’s failure to speed up the implementation of the Nongstoin- Sohpian Road.
Spokesman of the five NGOs, K Thongni, informed that during the discussion, the CEE explained that the sanctioned amount of Rs.2.59 crore for construction of the seven-km stretch of the road between Nongstoin and Sohpian was insufficient.
He further explained that this was the sole reason why contractors were apprehensive about putting in the tender for the said project.
Passah also informed that the tender had already been floated thrice, but no party had shown any interest in the project as it was financially infeasible.
“The CEE assured us that he would take initiatives to begin the work within the last week of January and complete it before the scheduled Synod Sepngi Church Service at Nongstoin,” Thongni said, while informing of the CEE’s assurance that he would try to get the sanctioned amount raised, if possible, so that the road may be completed and in due course extended up to Mawiawban.
Thongni added that the CEE had also mentioned that Rs.6.50 crore had earlier been sanctioned for the construction of Nongstoin-Sohpian road but as the Bypass from Sohpian was under construction, the sanction was reduced to Rs.2.59 crore.
Meanwhile the five organisations said they would continue to pursue the matter with the Government until the road is completed.
Thongni also urged the local MLA and MDC to take steps to resolve the matter for the greater interest of the people of West Khasi Hills.
