SHILLONG: Is the small road with less than half a kilometer in length between Nongrimmaw and Lumsohra near Umpling Road (popularly known as Goralane Road) becoming an orphan road?
The small road which is an important link connecting different localities of the town has been lying in deteriorated condition since last 8-9 months while there is no clarity as whether the MES or the State Government should take the onus of repairing the road.
A visit to the road by a group of journalists on Wednesday revealed that the road has gone beyond the extent of being deteriorated and it has rather become dangerous for vehicles, two wheelers and even pedestrians as large holes have surfaced on the road.
A resident of the locality while speaking to journalists said that it feels like the road has become orphan with both MES and State Government passing the buck over each other on who should repair the road as till now there is no clarity on who owns the road.
“This road is located right in the heart of the city and it is shameful not only for residents but for the entire Shillong that the road is in such a terrible condition,” the resident added.
Another resident said that the road was always packed with vehicles and vehicles had to maneuver very carefully because of the large holes and the steepness the road.
Another citizen was surprised at the terrible condition of the road saying the bad road indeed gives a bad impression about the capital city.
On the other hand, local legislator, Ampareen Lyngdoh said that she had taken up the matter in the recently concluded Assembly session and the PWD Minister had assured that the matter would be looked into but the time was flying while the road was turning dangerous.
She also informed that she had a review meeting with the officials of the PWD on Wednesday and she was informed that the Government intended to construct inter locking tile road in the area.
She also maintained that if the Government did not take measures, she would have to sacrifice the MLA scheme by doing mere patching of the holes on the road.
She also said that she had not been given a indication as whether MES or the State Government should repair the road due to the conflict.
When asked if she felt the Government was not taking up the road just because she was from Opposition, she said, “ Whether I am in Opposition or ruling, this is an important link road and it should not be treated either as ruling or Opposition MLAs property.”