Garo group calls for ‘Non-Cooperation’ over bad roads in South Garo Hills

TURA: A pressure group from Garo Hills has called for a two day protest ‘ Non-cooperation Movement’ in the South Garo Hills district over bad roads.
The Association for Democracy and Empowerment (ADE), Gasuapara regional unit issued a statement announcing the 5 AM to 5 PM protest on Tuesday and Wednesday in the southern district alleging failure on the part of the government to speed up the road construction of the only highway which connects the region to the rest of the state.
According to ADE leaders, no work has been initiated in a major stretch of the highway from Cherengpara up to Gasuapara which is causing immense hardship to the commuters and the people of the district who have no alternative but to use the severely damaged road for their livelihood.
“The Baghmara to Eringre stretch has a completed black topping of the road while work is in progress in the Sibbari-Dumnikura-Dimapara stretch. But what is worrying is that the contractors allotted the work from Cherengpara to Gasuapara have not taken up any work at all and with the monsoon season on the verge of hitting our state no work can be completed,” said ADE secretary Callymeccan Ch Sangma while justifying the upcoming protest in the district.
The organization has been critical of the PWD officials who despite witnessing the lack of progress on the construction work has refused to take action on the erring contractors indicating a nexus between bureaucrats and contractors.