Editor,
Earlier whenever the weekend was afoot or the week begun, commuters dreaded the insufferable traffic jams but nowadays this suffering has become an everyday affair. To add insult to injury, our Chief Minister in his budget speech said that electric buses would be introduced to ease the traffic congestion. Any sane person would understand that the number of vehicles on the roads has increased manifold over the years while the roads have remained the same. Where would the aforesaid vehicles ply then begs the question?
Ambulances ferrying patients to hospitals are not spared either as they don’t get the leeway to pass through in spite of sounding their sirens as there’s no freeway for them to pass through because of the chaos.
Why can’t our political representatives come out with some practical solutions instead of giving us these lofty dreams and ideals which do not suit the ground realities. Our state has reached the 50th milestone. Let’s take the state forward and not regress to a point where we might all have to learn to ride horses and start rearing them so as to get from point A to point B.
Hope our political leaders are listening and doing the work they’re elected for and not merely jumping parties as and when it suits them.
Yours etc.,
Angela Lyngdoh,
Shillong-14
Gratitude and Adieu Bah Rowell Lyngdoh
Editor,
The Constituency of Mawkyrwat is deeply saddened by the passing away of Bah Rowell Lyngdoh, the Ex MLA of the constituency. He was once the Deputy Chief Minister of the State of Meghalaya. His contributions to the constituency are remarkable, particularly in getting the full-fledged district of South West Khasi Hills in 2012. He was a renowned and vibrant political leader of the western Maram. During his tenure in active politics, he effected several changes in the entire district of South West Khasi Hills. In fact, his was a successful political career. I often heard his name being mentioned when I was a small boy in the village. If Mawkyrwat is better today in various developmental indicators much of the credit goes to Bah Rowell Lyngdoh. The Constituency in particular and the whole district of South West Khasi Hills mourns the sudden death of this great leader of the region. May God grant him eternal bliss in heaven and reward him for the service done to the society.
Yours etc.,
Aiborlang Nongsiej,
Mawkyrwat
It’s the era of coal barons & company
Editor,
Apropos of the letter, “Hellish roads beyond Itshyrwat,” by Sanjeeb Kakoty (ST March 14, 2022, one empathises with the harrowing experiences of people having to travel on that dusty road (now hanging fire for months) to NEIGRIHMS, IIM, IT Park and the soon to be completed State Assembly. The New Shillong Township is part of a master plan but instead of according top priority to this area by way of four-laned roads and proper drainage systems, the entire area outside NEIGRIHMS has become like a congested bazaar. Anyone is allowed to set up shop anywhere. The letter by Kakoty exposes this misplaced priority of the Government, especially since the Ishyrwat road connects to NH6 that serves as a bypass to Silchar or Guwahati thereby allowing drivers to avoid the deadly Shillong traffic snarls. Unfortunately, this very important highway is today a horrifying picture of dust and grime. People living around the area are the worst affected by the dust. And no one is held accountable! This is the MDA Government in Meghalaya! In the Assembly people just give assurances or smile sarcastically.
In Meghalaya road contractors are benami fronts of politicians and ministers! Gone are those days before statehood, when tenders were floated in newspapers. Our once honest judicious, not so rich contractors but well experienced and with only a dozen frying steel saucers and no JCBs or road rollers ( just hired) would apply and the PWD would grant few kms to each one to give an opportunity to as many contractors as possible. Our unemployed youth were engaged as labourers and at least had some livelihood.
At that time judicious engineers would inspect the quality of work and anything that didn’t meet up with the standards would be demolished and redone. Time frame was important but many completed the work right on time for without that they would not be paid their bills. Today the bills remain unpaid for a long time but contractors are so rich they can continue to work without their bills being paid. However, ss soon as the monsoon showers start the quality of work is exposed and fresh tenders are floated. Contractors are never black-listed. This has become the norm now.
Today, it’s a one-,man show. The PWD minister is also the co-owner of a construction company. Is this not a conflict of interest? But with the MDA Government anything goes. The worst part is that tenders are quickly distributed but there is no insistence on a time line. It can take 2-3 years or more to complete even a small piece of work. Look at the Umpling bridge which connects the residents of Umpling to Rynjah. The bridge was hurriedly dismantled three years ago but remains incomplete even today although it is just about 20 metres long. Earlier the excuse given was that Covid prevented the contractor and his workers from proceeding with the construction work. But since last year normal work has started. So, what’s the excuse now? Patients having to go to NEIGHRIMS and NEIAH have to take the roundabout route through the traffic packed Rynjah-Lapalang-Umpling road after being charged very high taxi fares. Fortunately, it is learnt that the new MLA of Mawryngkneng is monitoring this matter closely. Let’s hope the residents of Umpling, especially the school children can soon travel through the more convenient route.
The dangers posed by contractor-turned-minister syndrome is that the Myntdu river becomes a convenient dumping ground for pre and post construction debris. Right now the turbidity of the Myntdu river is alarming. The question is who will bell the cat and defeat these unconscionable politicians. During the campaign period the voters seem to suffer from memory loss. Or, perhaps the Minister is not from the affected constituency. Look at the hot topics of Marten and Lummakjai which are raked up every now and again but soon forgotten. The public of Shillong and Meghalaya seem to have reconciled to the prevailing stench emanating from the garbage dumps.
No one is ready to save Meghalaya from the sorry mess we are in today. The pressure groups never raise their voices against corruption and illegal coal mining, so why should we trust them to do the right thing. No one honours the principles of the Indian Constitution any longer.
Yours etc.,
W. Passah
Nongkrem