Mawphlang-Balat road worsens despite sanctions

SHILLONG: The Mawphlang-Balat Road is in decrepit condition despite the State Government getting crores of rupees for its repair.
Alleging this, RTI activist Banshai Marbaniang said in 2012, under the Non-lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR), Rs 12 crore was granted for the Mawphlang-Balat Road.
Moreover, in recent years, Special Plan Assistance of Rs 15 crore was sanctioned for road repair.
There was also a special grant for roads under the Special Area Programme for border area roads under PWD and the expenditure was Rs 1,950.79 crore.
Villages that were left unattended due to bad road condition include Phlangwanbroi, Tlongpleng, Pyndensohsaw, Balat and Mawsynram-Ryngku Border Road.
“There were attempts to cover up potholes till Lyngiong and Mawsynram, which was a temporary relief,” he said.
The RTI activist said grant under the State Plan Outlay and Expenditures was enhanced over the years. “It is disheartening that there are no traces of development,” he added.
The development of Mawphlang-Balat Road is necessary as it acts as both trade and tourism routes between India and Bangladesh.
Marbaniang claimed the road condition is deterring tourist flow and subsequently livelihood opportunities for locals. He has urged public representatives of Mawphlang, Mawkyrwat, Mawsynram and Langrin constituencies to look into the matter.
“I urge the representatives to voice the matter in the budget session of the Assembly,” he said and added that he would meet PWD Minister Martin M. Danggo and other officials to submit a memorandum in this regard.