MAWKYRWAT, Nov 25: PHE Minister Renikton L Tongkhar accompanied by officials of the PWD (Roads) and PHE department, on Wednesday, walked for two-and-half hours from Markhew under Jakrem village till Rilang Bridge in Jashiar during the site inspection of the proposed road connecting Shiliang Um Rilang with Umjarain via Rilang River, besides the sources of the proposed Greater Mawkyrwat Combine Water Supply Scheme. The two schemes will cost the government more than Rs 100 crore.
Speaking to media persons, Tongkhar said it was always his intention to connect the villages in Shiliang Um Rilang including Nongbrei Nongdom, Sngimawlein, Pynden Umsaw and many others, directly with Umjarain with an objective to shorten the distance of about 20 km to just 6-7 km and the time from 1 hour to just 15 minutes. So far, the people from Shiliang Um area go via Jashiar & Jakrem to Umjarain when en route to Shillong.
“We wanted a road connecting Markhew with Nongdom, but it was not easy as a major bridge was needed to be constructed over Rilang River. However, we are determined to connect the Shiliang Um Rilang area with Umjarain,” Tongkhar said.
The minister, who is also the local MLA, said that another objective of the tour programme is the site inspection of the sources for the proposed Greater Mawkyrwat Combine Water Supply Scheme.
“I have directed the executive engineer to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for the proposed scheme, which is estimated to cost less than Rs 100 crore. It is a big project but we will do our best to make sure that it sees the light of day,” he said.
He expressed confidence that once the projects were complete, Markhew locality under Jakrem village will become one of the best tourist spots in the district.
Meanwhile, Executive Engineer of PHE, Mawkyrwat Division, S Snaitang, informed that the proposed water supply scheme will cover around 16 big villages in Mawkyrwat. The Division has sent the concept paper to the head office, he said.
On the other hand, Executive Engineer of the PWD (Roads), Mawkyrwat Division, M Mawroh, said that the department has accepted the minister’s proposal pertaining to the 2-3 km Markhew-Nongdom Road, for which a thorough survey will begin on Thursday.
