ditor,
The pathetic condition of the NH-44 (Jowai-Umkiang- Ratacherra has been highlighted by many concerned citizens and the media but to no avail Government’s response is a stunning silence. The Government has instead put the blame on the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The condition of the road has disrupted the normal life of commuters. During the dry and windy season the road is dusty and when it rains the road turns slushy. Earlier the road was maintained by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) which was looking after it well. To our dismay, ever since the State PWD took over, the condition of the road has deteriorated. NH 44 is the lifeline of many states in the region but its development and up-gradation has been neglected by the Government. At present the road is not motorable. There are boulders in the middle of the road. The dust has turned all the trees nearby a dark brown colour. Heavy vehicles break down frequently and traffic jams are common. Taxi fares have gone up because the road is bad and ultimately it is the public that is suffering, not the Government. The most dangerous part is that the rods in the Sonapur tunnel are all exposed and eroded. The worse stretch is between Ladrymbai, area near the Sonapur tunnel and Umkiang!
Several attempts have been made by the NGO’s of East Jaintia Hills to pressure the Government to repair the road, but nothing happened. Last year the PWD(R) Jowai Central Division had filled the road with stones when NGO’s protested but this is not of any help. The elected representatives of Jaintia Hills don’t care about the pathetic condition of the road and have not taken any steps to ameliorate the problem. No candidate made this road an election issue. In fact, the development of East Jaintia Hills has been ignored by the Government and other developmental agencies. In my opinion, the PWD(R) is not fit to maintain any national highways in the state. It should be confined to maintaining the roads of Shillong only. In Shillong, any pothole is immediately filled up because VIPs drive on those roads. The NH 44 has remained unattended for the last two years.
I appeal to the Government of Meghalaya, the PWD(R) and the NHAI to repair this road at the earliest. The public will not wait any further; we are tired. Repair the road before any further agitation is announced. The Government should know it is running out of time. This will be a major issue in the Lok Sabha election because it concerns the life and welfare of the people. The Government of Meghalaya has let us down. We want good infrastructure and good roads. So do something before people come out to the streets!
Yours etc.,
Kynjaimon Amse
Umkiang, East Jaintia Hills