SHILLONG: Miffed over the inaction of both the State Government and National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) in repairing the dilapidated NH-44 which is in shambles right from Soomer to Malidhar in Jaintia Hills, five organisations of the two districts with the support of traditional chiefs have called for a 12-hour bandh within the whole district of East Jaintia Hills on February 13 to be effective from 5 am to 5 pm.
The five organisations including AJYWO, KSU Jaintia Hills Unit, FKJGP Khliehriat Circle and HNYF East Jaintia Zone, in a joint statement on Monday, said that they have no other option but to intensify their agitation due to the adamant attitude of the Government.
“We know the people are busy now with the election to both the KHADC and the JHADC scheduled shortly. But we urge the people to bear with us because if the road is not repaired now then there would be havoc once the monsoon arrives,” AJYWO president MH Dkhar said in the statement.
“We want to put pressure on both the State Government and the NHAI to immediately repair the deplorable and dangerous NH-44 extending from Soomer to Malidhar,” Dkhar said.
He said that only ambulances, mortuary vans and other emergency cases will be allowed to ply along the NH-44 during the imposition.
According to Dkhar, the NH-44 is the life-line of the North Eastern states of India besides being the back-bone of the State.
“But sadly, no one bothers to repair the road. Traveling along this highway these days takes a toll on the sommuters. Due to the pathetic condition of the road, there is regular often traffic jams along the highway,” he said.
The AJYWO chief also informed that they had sent several representations to the authorities to immediately repair the roads, but to no avail.
