SHILLONG: With landslides along the Umiam-Shillong Road keeping citizens on their toes, it can be said that the road has become one of the scariest roads to ply on. Two landslides had recently occurred in the area.
Just a little further from the Umiam Viewpoint towards neighbouring Assam, there are two spots where massive landslides took place few years back.
However, no restoration works have been carried out by the concerned authority so far.
Besides the landslides, the road condition has also gone to rack and ruin over the last one year despite the stretch of road being one of the busiest roads with regular vehicular movement.
When inquired, a PWD official said that there is very little scope for improvement of the road, and widening beyond two lanes is not feasible.
The official informed that the two landslides occurred two years ago due to some activities on a private land atop the hill.
The department is trying to find a solution, which would cost huge sum of money, and the department may even have to the move the government, the official added.
It was also informed that in later stages, Western Bypass would come up ranging from Umiam towards Nongstoin road and also be diverted towards Dawki.
On the other hand, the official said that the particular stretch, from Umiam to Dawki via Shillong city, would be handed over to the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
Apart from the nearby highways, the condition of the Shillong-Jowai road, particularly in Puriang area, has deteriorated beyond expectations.
In this regard, the official said that restoration work pertaining to the particular stretch has been allotted. However, it could not be taken up due to the rainy season.
On the maintenance part of Shillong-Tura road, the official said that the project does not qualify for periodical maintenance as the road was completed in the year 2017. Maintenance work is supposed to be taken up in every five years, the official said.
