Legislator threatens stern action against ‘erring’ contractors engaged in repair of NH-62

GUWAHATI: Rongara-Siju MLA, Rakkam A Sangma has said he would push for stern action against the contractors and concerned officials engaged in the repair of NH-62 in South Garo Hills district if work was not completed within the next two months.
Close to 100km of the highway from Nongol to Dalu has remained in poor condition for the past several decades with vehicular movement almost rendered impossible.
Four contractors engaged by the state government for periodic repair of the road in the past year and a half have failed to complete work till date. Three contractors were allotted work last year while another was engaged in 2015.
Speaking to The Shillong Times on Sunday, Sangma said if the contractors were confronting genuine problems they should explain rather than remaining silent or making excuses.
“The district SP had registered a case under certain sections against the contractors. Last week, the police and district administration had invited the contractors to a meeting but only two of them turned up. Now, they have been summoned by the minister to Shillong on Monday,” he said.
The legislator had on May 29 submitted a memorandum to PWD minister, Prestone Tynsong, pointing out that despite allotment of work to the contractors about a year and a half back, “little or no work has been done on the road till date.”
“Even big vehicles like buses find it difficult to ply on the dilapidated stretch and instead take the border road to and from Baghmara. But often, BSF prohibits the vehicles from using the road, which is the lifeline for commuters to the district headquarters of Baghmara,” the MLA had mentioned in the memorandum.
“I have raised the matter in the Assembly as well,” he said.
Sangma further informed that a delegation of the public accounts committee (PAC) of the Meghalaya Assembly would visit South Garo Hills in August and take stock of the status of the road.
Asked about the PWD’s role, he alleged that the department had done precious little during the tenure of the previous government. “The department should have taken measures to execute repair work earlier. But now they have limitations as the work is already allotted,” the MLA said.
“The condition of NH 51 (Dalu to Tura) is also no different,” Sangma said.
On the tourism minister Metbah Lyngdoh’s recent visit to the district, the MLA said the government was keen at exploring ways and means to develop the tourism industry which will generate employment.
“I am optimistic that things will take a turn for the better under the new dispensation as it is committed to improve road connectivity for ensuring balanced development in the state.
Lyngdoh had last week visited Siju Cave and Rongdong Waterfalls apart from meeting officials from different departments to review implementation of ongoing government schemes and projects in the district.