By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 26: There is no immediate relief in sight for commuters using the bumpy and dusty National Highway 6.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will take at least one more month to repair the rickety road that connects Meghalaya with southern Assam’s Barak valley besides Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura.
East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal told The Shillong Times that as per NHAI, only one contractor is engaged in carrying out the repair work. The term of another contractor has got over.
The road repair work from Jowai to Ratacherra is approximately 65 per cent complete, including blacktop surfacing. However, the problem is on the Mynkre-Ratacherra stretch. It is dotted with potholes.
Terming the condition of the road from Mynkre to Ratacherra as worrisome, the DC said most patches on this stretch are yet to be blacktopped.
Initially, NHAI had promised to complete the repair work by November 30. Subsequently, it was extended to October and then, to December 30. Now, NHAI has given a fresh deadline of January 30.
The pitiable condition of NH-6, especially the 30-km stretch between Sonapur and Ratacherra, also drew an angry response from the High Court of Meghalaya which slammed the NHAI, saying “…it is a shame that the Court has to remind a central body as the NHAI as to what its duties and responsibilities may be…”