Rains halt Union ministers’ visit in Garo Hills

TURA: A planned visit to flood ravaged Garo Hills by Union ministers of State Kiren Rijiju and Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday had to be cancelled due to inclement weather preventing from lift off from Assam to Tura.
Minister of State for Home, Rijiju, and Sports minister Sonowal were to undertake an aerial survey of the most affected areas of Garo Hills before touching down at Dobasipara BSF helipad in Tura for a 30-minute meeting with government officials where the duo were to be briefed on the steps being taken to restore normalcy.
However, a sudden storm on Friday morning lashed Garo Hills and several parts of Assam halting the planned visit of the two senior central government representatives.
Rijiju will now visit the flood affected areas of Garo Hills on Saturday after his visit to Assam .
An official source said on Friday that Rijiju will first visit the flood affected areas of Assam and will subsequently proceed to Garo Hills as the road route has already opened up.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma will accompany Rijiju during his visit to Garo Hills
Earlier, the disruption to the visit by the two top central leaders notwithstanding, a review meeting was held at the DRDA hall of the deputy commissioner’s office in Tura between district officials and Meghalaya ministers Zenith Sangma and Clement Marak.
During the meeting Zenith Sangma urged upon government officials and staff to expedite the rehabilitation and restoration works in the affected areas. Sangma also said that the ground survey report is a must.
A comprehensive assessment report of damages is expected to be submitted to the government by Tuesday, next.