Umsning Bypass: Residents demand re-alignment

SHILLONG: The Border Area Development Committee (BADC) of Mawhati along with the village elders of Umsning have urged the State Government to shorten the length of the Umsning Bypass.
“The present alignment of the proposed Umsning Bypass is having an adverse impact on the entire Mawhati constituency since the proposed alignment bypasses the Umsning-Mawhati junction,” BADO president LS Bey said in a representation submitted to Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma on Monday.
He said that the village elders and church leader of Umsning and Mawhati have, time and again, raised concerns over the matter since thousands of villagers would be affected as the present alignment of the bypass does not connect the main junction leading to various villages under Mawhati constituency.
“We would like to request the Government to shorten the Umsning Bypass so as connect it to the Mawhati junction,” the representation said.
Bey reminded that the State Government had issued a fresh notification in December, 2013 after the first notification was issued in November, 2008 on changes in the alignment of the proposed Umsning Bypass.
“This clearly shows that the delay in the implementation of the four-lane upgradation of the Shillong-Guwahati highway is due to fault on the part of the Government,” the BADO president said.
“If the Government has already re-demarcated the alignment of the Bypass, then there should not be any problem to come out with another notification after re-demarcation of the alignment of the Bypass for shortening of its length for the interest of the villagers of Umsning and Mawhati areas,” the representation added.