Opposition pulls up PWD (Roads)
SHILLONG: The development of road sector drew the attention of the House on Tuesday as several members participated in the motion moved on the issue by UDP’s Jemino Mawthoh.
Taking part in the motion, Leader of Opposition, Donkupar Roy called upon PWD Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, who according to him was a veteran contractor, to examine the issue of half-done roads.
Replying to the motion, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma assured the Assembly that the government will assign more funds to the road sector in the State.
Earlier, Roy stated that there is a need for the Planning and Finance departments to co-ordinate with the PWD for efficient working of the department which was facing financial constraints.
Lack of transparency in bill payment
Pointing to the various reasons for the dilapidated road conditions he said that there was a lack of transparency when it came to the payment of bills to contractors.
“No one is aware of the amount of repair work done by the department even as the engineers say that the department has no funds,” Roy added.
All-powerful contractors
He also revealed that contractors are too powerful and often sideline the engineers who fear getting transferred.
Replying to this Dhar said that it would be wrong to say that the contractors were all powerful. “The Department will take action against defaulters,” he said.
Meanwhile, another reason raised by the Opposition leader was the lack of monitoring and quality control in road construction.
He cited an instance where workers were seen busy blacktopping a road in Sohra during the rainy days.
Cemented roads over bitumen roads
Stating that bitumen roads should be replaced by cemented ones as the latter can withstand floods and rain, Roy questioned the government for not using cemented roads.
He also alleged that muster rolls overseeing the road projects do not discharge their duties properly.
Stating that for the execution of road projects, concerned officers should be stationed at the site, Dhar assured that the department will make efforts to depute supervisors to oversee the construction works.
No response to MLAs’ letters
Meanwhile, Roy criticized the department for not replying to letters written by the MLAs seeking queries about road projects in their constituencies.
To this Dhar assured that he will take up the matter in case there is no reply.
Mawthoh who moved the motion said, “I am perturbed with the road condition in Shillong, where poor maintenance has led to pot holes at several stretches. There is large scale deterioration in roads in Shillong and the villages.”
He added that the contractors are disinclined to take up road projects as their bills are pending.
Mawthoh also observed that growth of the Tourism sector and market of farmers’ produce depend on road connectivity and hence it was extremely important to improve on the existing infrastructure.
Another UDP member, Embhahlang Syiemlieh, pointed that absence of proper drainage system was a cause of concern when it came to maintenance of roads.
Opposition to Nongstoin-Mawthabah road
HSPDP’s Diosstarness Jyndiang reiterated his party’s long held stand opposing uranium mining in West Khasi Hills and accordingly he voiced opposition to the construction of Nongstoin-Mawthabah road which is allegedly meant to facilitate uranium mining.
Reacting to this Dhar drew attention to the statement of the chief minister that the road was not meant to facilitate uranium mining.
Entry to Shillong Peak restricted
Meanwhile, John Leslee Sangma (Independent) termed the closure of the Laitkor gate as ‘obstruction of the right of way’.
“We are being denied free movement in our own land and state because of security reasons. In this situation the government should come out with an alternative route to Shillong Peak,” he said.
Replying to this, the Minister in charge PWD said that there is proposal for road diversion from outside the Air Force fencing and for the project, clearance from the Forest department is mandatory.
Referring to Tura, Sangma said, “The so-called second capital of Meghalaya needs expansion of roads. It currently has small lanes with sharp bends and badly maintained drainage. Due to absence of footpaths, children are exposed to danger as they are compelled to walk on the main road.”
Replying to this Dhar said, “We will reinforce the responsibility of the PWD. Improvement of Tura-Baghmara road is under consideration.”
West Khasi Hills neglected
Meanwhile, HSPDP’s Witting Mawsor stated that the Government should divert attention to West Khasi Hills which is left out in most of the sectors.
In this connection, Dhar said, “West Khasi Hills is very much our top priority.”
Referring to the Nongstoin-Tura road, he reminded the House that West Khasi Hills was sanctioned the most important road with a huge sanction.
Bar entry of heavy vehicles
Taking part in the discussion, Paul Lyngdoh (UDP) said that the government should adopt a mechanism to check the entry of heavy vehicles to Shillong as over a thousand trucks ply from West Khasi Hills to the city causing congestion.
Highlighting the cultural importance of Shillong Peak, Lyngdoh said that denial of access to the peak has affected the free movement of people.
He asked the government to explore the possibilities of widening the road close to the Air Force station so that people have easy access to the peak. The legislator also wanted setting up of a research and engineering wing under PWD.
According to the legislator, the amount of Rs 1 crore released for repair of National highways is meager.