AMPATI: Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma inaugurated the first-ever motorable suspension bridge in the State constructed over Rongkhai river at Kodaldhowa under Zikzak C&RD block of South West Garo Hills in the presence of local MLA & Chairperson, Meghalaya Resource & Employment Generation Council on Tuesday evening.
The bridge, connecting Doromchas and Kodaldhowa villages, was constructed at a total cost of Rs. 2.39 crore and is sponsored by Social Infrastructure Development Fund (SIDF) 2012-2013, Union Ministry of DoNER under Border Areas Development Department connects Doromchas and Kodaldhowa. It is expected that the bridge will benefit the people of at least 15 villages on the other side of Rongkhai river, who otherwise had to take the long route to get to the nearest health centre or the nearest market.
Chief Executive Member, GHADC, Boston Marak, Vice Chairman, State Planning Board, A. Hussain Sarkar, MDC, Boldamgre, Stevie Marak, Deputy Commissioner, C.V.D. Diengdoh, Superintendent of Police B.W.Momin, other local leaders and district officials, besides a large crowd of people from the area were present on the occasion.
The Chief Minister while expressing his happiness to dedicate the infrastructure to the people of the area, he urged upon them to take ownership of the asset and although the bridge may be motorable he cautioned them against crossing with overloaded vehicles to ensure its durability. Pointing to the visible signs of peace, progress and prosperity across the state with the number of developmental initiatives taking place, the Chief Minister admitted that there will always be challenging times ahead with rising aspirations of the people, but asserted that there will be no declining growth rate in the state. On the challenges of livelihood opportunities in the state, he emphasized that along with infrastructural development there was need to create opportunities for the youth so that they do not have to leave their homes to go looking for opportunities outside.
Others who also spoke during the inaugural programme were local MLA Dikkanchi D. Shira, CEM, GHADC, Boston Marak, State Planning Board Vice Chairman A.Hussain Sarkar, Assistant Director, BAD, Tura, E.G.R. Marak, BADO, Kalaichar, S.A.Sangma and Gaonbura of Kodaldhowa, P.Phukan.