SHILLONG, July 21: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who also holds the charge of PWD (Roads), blamed the peculiar land tenure system in the state for the delay in the completion of the Shillong-Dawki Road which was conceptualised almost eight years ago. The project is not even half completed.
Tynsong said the NHIDCL has initiated fresh tender for package 1 and package 5 of the project. “Let us wait till the process is over and we will know who is getting the work,” he added.
Admitting that the project has been delayed, Tynsong said land acquisition often poses a huge challenge. “If two out of 10 landowners do not agree to part with their land, several problems may arise and the district collector has to sit down and conduct fresh hearings and assessment,” he said.
The Shillong-Dawki Road project suffered a major blow when the contractor assigned the task of constructing an 11-km stretch from Umshyrpi bridge at Rilbong to Baniun, Upper Shillong withdrew from the project.
Given the physical progress of all the stretches, the project is likely to miss its December deadline, officials said.
The 71-km existing road is to be converted into a four-lane highway from Umshyrpi bridge to Baniun at 7th Mile, and two lanes thereafter till Dawki at an estimated cost of Rs 1,251 crore.
‘Govt serious about law-and-order situation’
Tynsong also said the State Security Commission will meet only when deemed necessary.
The State Security Commission comes into the picture only when there is a law-and-order issue confronting the state government, he said.
Denying the allegation that the state government was complacent about the law-and-order situation, Tynsong said the state government’s commitment can be gauged from the seriousness with which it is going ahead with the peace talks involving the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council.
It may be recalled that Opposition leader Mukul Sangma had castigated the government for not convening the meeting of the State Security Commission even though the act provides that the panel should sit regularly.
‘No ambition to become CM’
Speaking about his political future, the deputy CM asserted that he can serve the people of the state even without sitting on the CM’s chair.
Reacting to a query, he said that the question of coveting the CM’s chair did not arise as his party was keen to contest and win elections.
“Are you trying to say that people can be served only by the chief minister? It is not so. The moment you are elected, you can contribute to the state in any capacity,” he asserted.
Asked if he is going to contest the 2023 elections from UDP, Tynsong said he would stick with the NPP.
He also denied being approached either by UDP or any other political party.
