By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 14: The capital city of Meghalaya, known for its picturesque hills and vibrant culture, is struggling with a worsening affliction — its roads.
Potholes have become a permanent fixture on Shillong’s streets, making every commute a bone-jarring and nerve-wracking experience.
The once-smooth roads, essential for connecting the city’s pulse to its rural veins, have degenerated into a mesh of craters and cracks.
The decay is palpable, and the consequences are far-reaching. Trade is hindered, tourism is taking a hit, rural incomes are suffering, and access to markets, schools and hospitals has become an everyday ordeal.
As Shillong’s roads continue to deteriorate, the question echoes: “Can Shillong find a way to revive its ailing arteries and restore the flow of life?”
Raising concerns about experiencing the nightmare, the state BJP has cast aspersions on the state government for its inability to maintain proper road conditions in the state capital.
“Being the capital city, where did the money for maintaining the roads go? The government should take care of the potholes as it endangers the lives, especially of those using two-wheelers,” said state BJP vice president, Bernard N Marak.
“Since Shillong is a capital city, the road and connectivity should be exemplary or else it is questionable that if Shillong city is left unattended too, what about the villages,” he added.
Stating that most of the villages today have roads due to the centrally funded Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) scheme, he questioned the government if just filling up the potholes and proper maintenance of the roads in the state capital is such a tedious task.
“The Urban Department, PWD roads, and all line departments should pay heed and attend to the ever-increasing problem,” he added.
