SHILLONG: The ‘road scam festival’ initiated by two city-based pressure groups has generated response from people across the state.
CSWO and Peoples’ Movement had undertaken journeys across the state to expose the condition of roads which, according to them, is a scam.
In a statement, CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing said proper road construction in rural areas is neglected entirely by PWD.
“The neglect has left public in despair and many lives too were lost due to criminal negligence of government servants who, though are drawing their pay to serve everyone equally, ignore the people especially in rural areas,” the CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing said.
According to the statement, in East Jaintia Hill’s Khliehriat C&RD Block, travelling is a trauma for inhabitants of the villages of Hingaria, Huroi, Lejri and Lailong.
CSWO was informed that at least three lives were lost along this road as pregnant women who were taken to the nearest hospital in Jowai, which is 100 km, died on the way as it takes more than 5 hours to reach the hospital.
CSWO noticed that some of the roads were left unattended by the department and ignored by officials and representatives.
In East Khasi Hills district under Mawkynrew constituency and Mawkynrew C&RD Block, a PMGSY road which was given to Rocky Dhar in 2014 for construction is still incomplete and the width of the road is compromised and it is not as per specifications.
The village of Rngi Bah is till date not accessible by roads but the PMGSY signboard states, “From Rngibah to Thangbnai” which is completely misleading.
The only road in the village is in a bad condition which was completely ignored by those who were paid to oversee the road conditions in these areas, Kharshiing said.
“The same is the situation all over the State where reports are coming in of bad roads from West Garo Hills, South Garo Hills, West Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi, South West Khasi Hills, plain belts of Garo Hills, East and West Jaintia Hills,” Kharshiing said.
According to her, people are left at the mercy of the officials of PWD who are meant to take care of the road.
Kharshiing said there are also pictures coming in of risky wooden bridges along NH-62.
People risk through these wooden bridges because this was the only means to ferry essential commodities. In East Jaintia Hills, Wahluri Bridge in Hingaria roads is also in danger.
Within Shillong, there is a sudden repair of roads which is haphazardly done and heated tar is being transported in vans leaving people in danger as the petrol is combustible and can explode anytime. The method of repair also does not meet the standards of maintenance work, she said.
“Crores of rupees are pumped in for development but the only development one sees is the rise in concrete structures of people in governance,” she added.
CSWO said neglect by government servants amounts to criminal negligence, breach of trust, misuse of public funds, cheating and the officials concerned should be booked.
CSWO said it would start more campaigns to see governance in a democracy is carried out in the true spirit and people are not neglected by those who are in governance or those representing them.
