Traditional market delayed due to approach road

JOWAI: The traditional market at Shnongpung village in West Jaintia Hills is yet to see the light of the day as the contractor who is constructing the approach road disappeared and abandoned the work for unknown reasons.
The market at Shangpung, popularly known as ‘Iaw Muchai’ is one of the oldest village market in Jaintia Hills.
The District Administration, particularly the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) has taken the initiative to redevelop the market through a convergence of government departments including the Soil and Water Conservation for earth cutting and consolidation, the PHE department for water supply, the MBDA (Meghalaya Basin Development Agency) for the approach road and the Block Development office, Laskein C&RD Block for construction of market stalls (sheds), side drains, retaining wall and footpath through MGNREGA Scheme.
The construction for the redevelopment of the market place was initiated by former Deputy Commissioner, Abhishek Kembhavi and the Project Director, DRDA, DM Wallang in March 2015.
 “The approach road was initiated by the MBDA in 2016 with a total estimate cost of more than 30 lakh. Sources informed that the construction of the road was allotted to Donbok Myria-a PWD contractor who left the construction work incomplete despite the total amount sanction for the approach road was released to him”, sources closed to the Dorbar Shnong said.
 A source, also informed that the Dorbar Shnong has approached the DC and the project Director in the matter, however, they were informed that the DC has given the contractor a show cause notice.
 The Dorbar Shnong also expressed unhappiness to the delay and wants the market to be inaugurated soon.