SHILLONG: In the wake of the recent landslides that even claimed a life along the Shillong-Guwahati road (NH-44), the Ri Bhoi Student Union (RBSU) has suggested the need to create an alternative route by means of upgradation of Umsning-Mawhati-Jagiroad road into a two-lane road.
“The commuters have been using the Umsning-Mawhati-Jagiroad in case of breakdown along the NH-40 in the past. Even during the recent landslide at Umling, people used this route,” RBSU president, E Nongpluh told newsmen here on Thursday.
The RBSU president said that it is high time, both the Central and the State Governments give importance to this route which will better serve commuters plying towards Upper Assam, Arunachal Pradesh besides other states.
“The upgradation of this road will also bring about economic development to the villagers of Mawhati besides providing easy access to essential commodities from Assam,” Nongpluh added.
The RBSU president also suggested that if the Umsning Bypass, which is yet to be constructed, is cut short to merge with the Umsning-Mawhati-Jagiroad junction, it will come handy in times of landslides in areas between Nongpoh and Byrnihat. “If the Umsning Bypass is to merge with the junction, then the authority undertaking the project could avoid the difficult task of massive earth cutting at the Umtrew hill near the Umtrew Bridge for which we feel the engineering aspect has been compromised for reasons best known to the concerned authorities,” Nongpluh stated.