SHILLONG: The Synjuk Jong Ki Nongshongshnong (Phlangdiloin), an organization comprising of a cluster of 16 villages came out in support of the two lane road project and has urged the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), to issue the NOC at the earliest for the implementation of the road project, at the same time they voiced opposition to uranium mining.
Addressing newsper-sons on Thursday, chairman of the organization Chistopher Lyngdoh said, “the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MORT&H) has invited tender for the project on May 5, 2014, however, till date we have no information on whether any bidder has been allotted or not and we request the ministry to expedite the road project which will benefit the villages.”
Stating that they are oblivious to the mining of uranium as anti-uranium organizations alleged that the road project is to facilitate uranium exploration, Lyngdoh said, “We are not informed on uranium mining as the invitation for tender mentioned that the construction works is for road projects and no mention was made on uranium mining. We demand the implementation of the road project and not uranium mining.”
The cluster of villages’ representatives stated that the people there have no intentions to reject the road project as they desire development in the region and expressed the need for the immediate implementation of the project observing that roads are the backbone of development.
Stressing on road development as an urgent need, the organization urged the KHADC to issue the NOC for the road project as soon as possible as delay in issuing the NOC might prompt the ministry to shift the project to some other place.”
On being asked about the anti-road project organizations, Lyngdoh answered, “the arguments among us Khasis is uncalled for as there has to be an understanding and unity to usher in development.”
They pointed out that the two road projects included up gradation to two lanes of state road which stretches from Nongstoin-Pambrie-Wahkaji-Domiasiat-Mawthabah under phase A and up gradation to two lanes of Wahkaji-Phlangdiloin-Ranikor road under Special Accelerated Road Development Programme in North East (SARDP-NE).
It may be mentioned that the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has launched mega road development programme in North East under the banner of SARDP-NE.
The two lane of state road which stretches from Nongstoin-Pambrie- Wahkaji-Domiasiat-Mawthabah is at a total length of 68.065 Km and Wahkaji-Phlangdiloin-Ranikor road is 30.830 Km with an indicative project cost of Rs 324.57 crore and 276.77 crore respectively.
