MAWKYRWAT, Sep 22: A joint inspection team led by Sub-Divisional Officer of Ranikor, HS Diengdoh, conducted a survey of a stretch of Kynshi river where stones and soil in large amount were dumped by Dhar Construction Company, executing the work for two-laning of the road from Khatphra-Ranikor to Maheshkhola.
The inspection was ordered by Deputy Commissioner of South West Khasi Hills after receiving complaints from the Khasi Student’s Union (KSU) Ranikor Circle, which flagged concern over the dumping of soil and stones.
Alarm has been raised over the issue as dumping of stones and soil has threatened aquatic life and narrowed the Kynshi river.
In the wake of this, the company is facing backlash for its actions.
After the inspection, a meeting, chaired by the SDO, was held at Ranikor Bridge in the presence of officials from Dhar Construction Company, PWD (Roads) and Water Resources department, National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited, besides leaders of KSU Ranikor Circle, Syiem of Hima Langrin, and headmen from Rilang area.
Speaking at the meeting, president of the KSU Ranikor Circle, Marconi Thongni, took shots at Dhar Construction Company stating that people of the area had complained against dumping of stones and soil in the river but the firm did not pay heed and continued the activity.
“You (Dhar Construction Company) cannot say that you are not intentionally dumping the stones and soil in the river because we have evidence such as pictures and videos which show that your dumper vehicles were dumping both stones and soil in the river,” Thongni said, even as he pulled up the company for threatening aquatic life and causing the river to become narrow due to the haphazard dumping.
“The company should immediately stop dumping of stones and soil in the river and should also collect all the rocks which were dumped in the river, failing which we will move to our next step because what you have done is damage the environment,” Thongni warned.
The Syiem of Hima Langrin and headmen of the area also joined the chorus stating that they did not allow permission to the firm to dump stones and soil in the river.
“We have identified and given permission for some sites near 25 Mile village as dumping place for whatever they collect from the construction of the road, but we didn’t give permission to use the Kynshi river as a dumping place,” Syiem of Hima Langrin, Paiem Nangtei Syiemiong, said.
The traditional leaders also flagged concern over causing explosions and called for the activity to stop while reasoning that apart from threatening (Contd on P-9)
Company faces backlash for…
(Contd from P-3) the river, the boulders falling after blasts could also damage the Ranikor Bridge, which is the only thoroughfare connecting Borsora-Nongjri with Ranikor.
Defending the allegations and blames, Dhar Construction Company manager, Dondor Dkhar, stated that the stones were dumped in the river under unavoidable circumstances and unintentionally.
“We didn’t intentionally dump the stones in the river because we need them and we carry them to our camp. During blasting, some stones fell into the river and while others blocked the road which takes hours to clear. After the commuters complained about waiting for hours, we had to clear the road,” Dkhar said.
The company manager, however, promised not to dump soil or stones in the river in future, and use low-intensity explosives to ensure no damage is caused to the Ranikor Bridge. Nonetheless, to the demand of the KSU of collecting the stones from the river, the company said it could not do so as the place is very steep.
