SHILLONG: A delegation of concerned citizens, including two former legislators of Jaintia Hills, met Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong to discuss on a pending road project and erratic power supply in remote villages of the Jaintia Hills.
The delegation led by ex-MLAs Hopeful Bamon and Stephan Mukhim included Kynjaimon Amse, Raja Suchen, Eristone Rymbai and Riborlin Shylla. They met the deputy chief minister at his residence where several issues pertaining to rural development in East Jaintia Hills were discussed and deliberated.
Tynsong was apprised of the bad condition of the Rymbai-Bataw-Borkhat-Sonapur Road which has affected the lives of the people living in Hingaria, Huroi, Lahalein and Lejri villages to a very large extent.
They informed him that the DPR prepared by the PWD (Roads) has been accepted by the NEC, Shillong which has forwarded the draft SFC memo of Rymbai-Bataw-Borkhat-Sonapur Road (Length – 39.25 km) to be built at an estimated cost of Rs 123.28 crore under the NERSDS to the Joint Secretary (NEC), Ministry of DONER, New Delhi for its approval.
The delegation also said that the matter was earlier taken up with Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and that there has been undue delay in construction of the road.
They pointed out that the High Court of Meghalaya has taken cognizance of the matter and that it will be taken up by it again on Monday.
After the intervention of the High Court, the issue has been speeded up by both the PWD and North Eastern Council (NEC).
The delegation urged Tynsong and the state government to take up the matter with DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh and also with the Prime Minister’s office for speedy approval.
Tynsong informed them that the government has taken the matter very seriously and a committee has also been formed to look into it.
He informed that several rounds of meetings have been conducted for the project and that all formalities for approving the project are almost complete. He also said that the project is sure to get approval and sanction by DoNER Ministry. He assured that the decades- long aspiration of the people will be fulfilled soon. Besides the road project, the delegation also drew the deputy chief minister’s attention to the construction and development of three roads which include the Lum Myrli-Wah Umpasu Road, Umkiang Pahar Road and the Jowai-Amlarem road.
Discussions were held on the non-availability of mobile and internet connectivity in the border villages of East Jaintia Hills district which includes Hingaria, Huroi, Lahalein and Lejri and prayed for his intervention in this matter.
The delegation felt the need to provide electricity by way of grid system through the MeECL to these border villages as the off grid solar equipment are not of much help to the public.
The issue of irregular supply of electricity to villages in Narpuh Elaka, East Jaintia Hills was also discussed and deliberated. The minister has assured that he will consider the matter and that the government will take necessary action.