From Our Correspondent
MAWKYRWAT, Nov 30: Deputy Chief Minister, also in charge of PWD (Roads), Prestone Tynsong, on Thursday, sought the support of pressure groups as well as other stakeholders in helping the government in its endeavours and to not “always find fault”.
Tynsong made the statement after laying the foundation stone of the 6.4-km-long Intermediate Lane road from Lailad to Borsora under Ranikor Civil Sub-Division in South West Khasi Hills on Thursday.
The project – upgrade and development including metalling and blacktopping and re-construction of the slided portion of approach road to Borsora — will be constructed under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2022-23 at a cost Rs 18 crore.
Tynsong also asked the village authorities, clans and Himas to become part of the developmental initiatives and work hand in hand with the government to ensure that they do not go to waste.
“The major problem for the government in bringing development is land acquisition where we find objections left and right. I urge upon the pressure groups not to always find fault with the government, but to also take the responsibility to make our people understand so that we can bring development. In fact, all the three export points (Borsora, Bagli and Cheragaon) should have been connected with very good roads, but we have to abandon and surrender because of land hurdle,” Tynsong said.
Tynsong also predicted that Ranikor, which is considered as the ‘rice plate’ (pliang ja) of Meghalaya, will soon turn into one of the centres of Meghalaya with the help of enhanced road connectivity.
“The government has plans to connect Ranikor with good roads from Nongstoin via Wahkaji-Phlangdiloin to Ranikor, from Mawkyrwat to Ranikor and from Mawsynram to Ranikor. Once we complete the three road projects, Ranikor will become one of the major centres in Meghalaya as people from Shillong and other places will turn to this place which is considered as the ‘rice plate’ of Meghalaya because of its huge revenue generation,” Tynsong said.
He said that the government is eager to connect Ranikor with good roads from all areas — Nongstoin via Wahkaji-Phlangdiloin to Ranikor, Mawkyrwat to Ranikor, Mawsynram to Ranikor, Maweit via Nongjri to Ranikor, and a road link with South Garo Hills district.
According to the Deputy CM, many people from the area had applied for mining lease. Once Ranikor is connected with Maweit in West Khasi Hills via Nongjri, this area will become a major export point for coal deposits, he added.
“Not only is this place rich in mineral resources, but you have a beautiful landscape with even Bangladesh being viewable. Tourism is another rich resource,” he said.
He observed that the ‘Ranikor Beach Fest’ had attracted several people in the past. “I was told that it has stopped because of bad road conditions. Now, I assure you that we will organise this festival again and we will connect that place with good roads so you and your future generation here will generate income through tourism sector,” Tynsong said as he urged the people to start building homestays because after good roads, people from all over the country would want to visit this beautiful place.
Others who spoke include Ranikor MLA Pius Marwein, Mawsynram MLA Olansing Suin, Chief Engineer, PWD (Roads) KK Mawa, among others.