JOWAI: Villagers of Wahsarang and Lumskhen in East Jaintia Hills are still awaiting the completion of metalling and black topping work of the Umshong Iapmala-Wahdarang road.
The only road that links the villages to the nearest markets at Rymbai and Lad-Rymbai is at best in shambles.
The road was first constructed in 2007 under the PMGSY scheme funded by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. The work was completed in January 2009 at an estimated cost of Rs. 126.76 lakh even as an additional fund of Rs. 3.35 lakh was sanctioned for a five-year maintenance contract which ended in 2013.
Lately, another scheme funded by the same Ministry was sanctioned for the construction of the road. Ironically, even as a hoarding at the beginning of the stretch of road stated that the project would be complete by September 2015, the ground reality is exactly the opposite.
Stone chips still lie strewn along the 4-km stretch of the road and only half of the road has been metalled with black topping is yet to be done.
The total amount sanctioned for metalling and black topping of this 4-Km road is Rs. 186.295 lakh with an additional fund of Rs. 18.611 lakh meant for a 5-year maintenance contract. The work was supposed to be completed within nine months’ from January 2015.
The headmen of Wahsarang and Lumskhen villages said that construction work on the road had stopped for a month now.
Speaking to this Correspondent, Makham Bareh, the Rangbah Shnong of Lumskhen village (which is adjacent to Wahsarang) said, “We are eagerly waiting for the completion of this road because it is our only link to the market and the towns. Although the project has been delayed, we still hope that the PWD will ensure its speedy completion for the benefit of the villagers.”
The total amount sanctioned for metalling and black topping of this 4-Km road is Rs. 186.295 lakh with an additional fund of Rs. 18.611 lakh meant for a 5-year maintenance contract.
The Executing Agency namely the PWD (Roads) could not be contacted for its comments.
