Nongstoin-Wahkaji-Mawthabah road project row intensifies
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The row over the two-lane Nongstoin-Wahkaji-Mawthabah road project is growing by the day with opposing groups doing all they can to ensure that the public and the stakeholders are in consonance with their views.
In this regard the Joint Action Committee of Social Organization (JACSO), South West Khasi Hills, which is opposing the project, and the Joint Action Committee on Two Lane Road Nongstoin-Mawthabah, West and South West Khasi Hills, which is in favour of it, addressed press conferences in the city on Thursday.
In an attempt to make the public aware about the “real motive” behind the road project the JACSO, South West Khasi Hills will hold a public meeting at Mawkyrwat at 11 am on July 16.
The JACSO, SWKH comprises of several pressure groups including the SSSS, HYC, FKJGP, SPDF, HANM, HNYF, WKSU, MIYF and SWKYF.
Addressing a press conference here, JACSO chairman, Wallambok Syiemiong said that the joint action committee stands for a single lane road from Nongstoin-Ranikor via Phlangdiloin and not till Mawthabah.
“The Wahkaji-Mawthabah road is already constructed by the KHADC during the tenure of the then CEM HS Shylla… We urge the state government to blacktop the road which has been there for decades,” he said.
The JACSO in a memorandum to the Chief Minister claimed that most of the people from South West Khasi Hills objected to the project which they believe is linked to uranium mining.
“The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) should come out clear on the objective of the road project. The concerned authorities should clarify in public domain by way of public notification whether the road has anything to do with uranium mining,” he said.
JACSO secretary, Robert June Kharjahrin alleged that officials from the MoRTH had met their counterparts from the state government urging it to put pressure on the KHADC to issue an NOC for the road project failing which the scheme will be diverted.
“The gun point policy adopted by the ministry is condemnable and we strongly oppose such actions which undermine the power and independence of the KHADC,” he said.
The JACSO secretary also slammed Shillong MP Vincent Pala for “supporting the road project”, stating that the parliamentarian did not understand the true meaning of development.
Meanwhile, addressing another press conference here on Thursday chairman of the Joint Action Committee on Two Lane Road Nongstoin-Mawthabah, West and South West Khasi Hills, Ricky Sohlang said that the committee members had met KHADC CEM PN Syiem urging him to issue the NOC for the road project.
“The CEM along with the Hadrian Lyngdoh, chairman of the Committee on Nongstoiñ-Wahkaji-Mawthabah Road Project of the KHADC will leave for Delhi soon to discuss the matter with the officials concerned,” Sohlang claimed adding that the CEM was vague in his reply to queries seeking to know the reason behind the delay in issuance of the NOC.
Meanwhile, commenting on the attack during a meeting held by pro-road groups on July 9, Sordar, Pyndeng-Umjarain, Stalin Thongni said, “The attack is condemnable and we dare the NGOs which called us agents of the Uranium Corporation of India (UCIL) to substantiate their claims.” “We condemn uranium mining but we welcome development,” he added. Sohlang also said that the committee was against the tender floated recently by the UCIL.