Umsning by-pass damages land; landowners want compensation

SHILLONG: The landowners residing along the National Highway, Umsning by-pass expressed their grievances to local MLA Jason Sawkmie Mawlong on the damages caused by the construction of the by-pass four-lane to their land and water and have sought compensation.
The landowners asserted water sources are completely washed away due to the road project and fish ponds are completely destroyed.
They also complained to the MLA on the muddy road arising out of the road project which gets worst during rainy season and demanded from the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to pay compensation as it has affected the water sources, fish ponds.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued here, a landowner, C. War said the paddy fields have become barren and are infiltrated with sand and pebbles along with mud.
War said the approach road that is to be connected and align to the constructed highway is being kept in the dark and there is no clear cut indication or explanation as to a proper exit.
According to him, the destructions are continuous and progressive in nature, the sand and small stones keep piling up and infiltrating as time passes by.
He added the situation gets worst during rainy season which claims fresh stretch of land, vulnerably, the low lying areas.
War had also petitioned Lt Colonel Rajeev Malhotra, Project Director (PIU), NHAI SEPWD, on the persistent and repeated complaints to the collateral damages caused by the construction of the Umsning by-Pass four-lane to his land.