SHILLONG: Annoyed over the pathetic condition of roads in Mawlai which houses institutions like NEHU, Shillong Polytechnic and the Don Bosco Museum, among others, the local legislator of the area on Thursday compelled the PWD (Roads) Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar to agree to a joint inspection of the area.
During the question hour in the Assembly on Thursday, Embhahlang Syiemlieh (UDP) pointed out that considering the importance of the area which has important roads including those connecting to the Umroi Airport and other education institutions, the PWD should have repaired the roads in and around Mawlai which are currently not in a motorable state.
Syiemlieh pointed out that a person recently died and several children, who were pedestrians, were seriously injured due to the pathetic road condition in Mawlai. “If the road is good pedestrians are safe. Tourists are also complaining about the bad roads,” he said. While the PWD minister maintained that it was due to heavy rains that the roads in city were damaged, Syiemlieh pointed out that the roads in Mawlai were repaired last year but are now full of potholes.
“I am disappointed with the PWD. Recently, traffic police personnel had to collect stones to fill up the large potholes at Mawlai petrol pump,” Syiemlieh informed.
The minister assured that after the Monsoon, repair work on the damaged roads would be taken up across the city.
The legislator, however, pointed out that he had raised the same question last year and received the same reply from the minister.
When the legislator persisted with his demand for a joint inspection to assess the damage to roads in Mawlai, the minister agreed and said that he would discuss the date for the joint inspection with the concerned.
At this point, the Speaker intervened and said, “The minister should also discuss with us regarding our constituencies.” The House broke into a peal of laughter at the Speaker’s comment.
