Editor,
I wish to thank and compliment the entire NH-44 Footpath Tiling works team with a special mention of the PWD Executive Engineer, Junior Engineer and the Contractor for not only taking cognizance of the suggestions made in my letter to your esteemed daily (ST Sep 26, 2015) but for also doing a very neat job. As we are aware, this tiling work could well be once in our lifetime, so it was imperative that a near perfect job was done out of the taxpayer’s money. All commercial encroachments have been meticulously removed, dangerous guard railing projections chopped off or straightened out. Even a new little footpath has been carved out along Fish Dale and some extra space has also been taken into the footpath area by earth filling & tiling near Dhankheti. All this in stark contrast to the shoddy work being done by the NH-40 PWD team along Kacheri Point & Police Bazar areas.
Yours etc,
Gagan Jain,
Via email
Blue Waters of the Myntdu and Lukha Rivers
Editor,
Coal mining in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills was started when the British were the rulers. From then till 2007, nothing happened to the rivers. Enter the Cement Plants and the river waters turn blue every winter. (Coal however is also responsible). The various Agencies, Pollution Control Boards, NGT, etc, squarely blame coal and limestone seepage. None of these have given the reason for the change in colour of the rivers. Are they hiding something? Obviously. Its obvious that the blue colour of the river water is due to copper sulphate (CuSO4) (Tutia in local language), which is lethal to aquatic life even in small amounts. In years gone by, unscrupulous fishermen poison the rivers with Copper Sulphate to make a quick catch. From where does Copper come in? The process of cement manufacture involves the use of Copper Slag as catalyst. Once a year the slag is cleaned out, dumped outside and into the river tributaries. This mixes with coal seepage which is the source of Sulphate (Sulphur) and forms Copper Sulphate, which dissolves in water and turns it blue. This is all theory. However, if the various agencies or individuals have some other explanation then let everybody know. If this theory is correct, will the NGT take action and close down the cement plants? The cement factories should find ways to dispose off the copper slag safely. Until then, close them down. The dumped coal and especially coal dust should be removed far away from water bodies, stream and rivers.
Yours etc.,
D. Rangad,
Via email
Silent MLAs
Editor,
Whenever the Assembly is in session much of the discourse, debate and verbal duels come from MLAs’ from either the Khasi hills or Garo Hills but rarely have those from Jaintia Hills been heard. The MLAs of Jaintia Hills neither speak out nor raise important matters concerning their areas or constituencies. From roads full of potholes to pathetic electricity supply to poor health infrastructure and poor educational facilities such matters have hardly evoked any criticism or discussion from them. It seems they are either out of sync with their folks back home or are probably trying to portray their district as the ‘ Promised Land ‘ flowing with milk and honey. I have travelled to most of the interior parts of Jaintia Hills and all I hear is that MLAs’ do nothing except distributing money or materials before elections and for five years they are likened to a Blue Moon. It is very unfortunate that Jaintia Hills continues to remain under- developed despite the government’s initiative to help it progress while the people live in oblivion. When will sense prevail in their MLAs? Only time will tell.
Yours etc…
Dominic S. Wankhar,
Shillong -3