HC directs state to build bridge to connect villages along int’l border

SHILLONG, May 31: A division bench of the High Court of Meghalaya on Tuesday directed the state government to construct a bailey bridge to connect Sonapur to Borghat along the India-Bangladesh border.
In the course of the hearing, Amicus Curiae S. Panthi informed the Court that recently a bridge on the road about 10 kilometres from Sonapur and towards Borghat had collapsed.
The Bridge no. 54/1 near Shymplong on the Borghat-Sonapur road was washed away on May 16 due to heavy rains.
The washing away of the bridge along the Sonapur-Borghat road near Shymplong has affected more than 8,000 villagers residing in the six remote villages — Shymplong, Lejri, Huroi, Hingaria, Lahalein and Borsara in the extreme corner of East Jaintia Hills district.
These villages are only 2-8 kilometres away from India-Bangladesh border and 50-60 kilometres away from the National Highway-6.
“The state should look into such aspect of the matter and ensure that temporary arrangements are made for a Bailey bridge or the like being put up and for a permanent solution by way of a concrete bridge,” the bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh, ordered.
The bench, however, mentioned that the government has sought a further week’s time to finalise the issuance of the work order.
The Court has listed the next hearing on June 20. (UNI)