Groups move DC, blame company over GH road completion delay

RESUBELPARA, June 19: Various organisations from North Garo Hills, including the GSU, AYWO, AAYF and ADE, have complained to Deputy Commissioner Abhinav Singh, blaming the Badri Rai and Company (BRC) for the delay in completion of the Damra-Bajengdoba road, with two bridges connecting Mendipathar to Resubelpara coming in for special mention.
The complaint comes against the backdrop of MDC Rinaldo K Sangma coming down heavily on the aforesaid construction company after the two subways, which are built where two small bridges are coming up, faced an unprecedented situation with water flooding.
In their complaint, the NGOs accused the company of ignorance and negligence, which led to the residents facing a dire situation. They further demanded action against the company.
The BRC, however, clarified on the complaints, stating that the bridges have already been cast two weeks ago, with the cast set to open in another two weeks after.
Social media has been flooded with videos and photos of the subway underwater, showing how difficult navigation of the section had become with water coming up to the dashboard of vehicles. One vehicle had even overturned while navigating the stretch though there were no casualties as alert villagers helped those that had turned over.
On Wednesday morning, too, photos and videos of schoolchildren wading through knee-deep water to reach their school flashed through social media, causing an outcry.
Temporary repair works on the stretch have been taken up and the route is currently navigable. The work was undertaken by the same company this afternoon.
Speaking on the issue, a representative of the company stated the delay in the construction of the bridge was not in their hands.
“We only got clearance to go ahead with the bridge construction this February, 2024. We immediately got to construct it on a war footing. We managed to finish casting both bridges two weeks ago. We cannot open the cast before the bridge is stable, which will take at least 2 more weeks. What can we do about a natural calamity? The rest of the road has been completed and we have ensured quality in our work which can be inspected by anyone,” said the company representative, requesting anonymity.
He added that initially there was a delay due to an expected design change in the bridge, which, he added, was being worked on. However, a decision was taken to continue with the old design and that was when work was started with immediate effect.