Govt may negotiate with Wahumkhrah encroachers

SHILLONG: The State government is considering holding negotiations with people who have illegally occupied the banks of the Wahumkhrah.
Informing this, Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said the department was looking to arrive at a settlement on the pending matter so as to ensure that the river is saved from further pollution and encroachment.
“Once we get the funds, we will get into negotiations with people who have encroached along the river banks,” Lyngdoh said.
She also mentioned that following the NGT ruling on dismantling illegal structures along      the river banks, the department prepared inventory and necessary papers which were submitted before the Court.
It was on September 14 that the Supreme Court, through an interim order, gave relief to as many as 30 families at a time when MUDA was prepared to demolish their buildings acting on the order of the High Court of Meghalaya.
It may be mentioned that the State government has submitted a proposal to the Centre for flood management programme for two rivers – Wahumkhrah and Umshyrpi.
The DPR has been designed with an aim to create awareness among the public on the need to preserve and protect the rivers.
The proposed programme aims to tackle floods caused by the two rivers during the Monsoon. As part of the programme, the State government plans to construct drains along the small streams which flow to the Wahumkhrah and Umshyrpi.