TURA: Tura Lok Sabha MP, Conrad K Sangma, has sought intervention of the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways for the improvement of national highways in Meghalaya while drawing the latter’s attention to some of the most neglected roads in the Khasi and Garo Hills region of the hill state.
The Tura MP called on union minister Nitin Gadkari at New Delhi on Thursday and apprised him about the condition of two national highways, a state highway and a North Eastern Council funded road, according to a statement released by the NPP’s communication cell.
He drew the attention of the Union Minister to the need for improvement of highways, NH-62 from Pattargittim in South Garo Hills to Dalu in West Garo Hills district, NH-51 from Tura to Dalu, state road from Baghmara to Ranikor in South West Khasi Hills via Maheskola and Mahadeo, and the conversion of the North East Council (NEC) road Agia to Dalu via Phulbari and Singimari into a national highway.
Gadkari was also briefed about the pathetic condition of the road from Tura to Baghmara, the district headquarters of South Garo Hills, which has been lying in a deplorable state.
“South Garo Hills has not received the benefits of development on account of the poor road condition. The district is of strategic importance since it shares a long international border with Bangladesh. Likewise, people from both South West Khasi Hills and South Garo Hills districts in spite of being neighbours are suffering immensely because there is no proper road link,” said Conrad K Sangma, according to the press release.
He accused the Mukul Sangma-led government of making empty promises to the people of Meghalaya.
“People have lost hope in the Congress government after suffering from years of neglect of their roads. People from the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills have urged me to take the matter up with the Union government and the Union minister has assured the matter would be considered and looked into,” said the Tura MP.