NONGPOH, Oct 6: The headmen of three villages — Umdohbyrthih, Umroi Madan, and Labansaro — along with other village leaders, addressed the media on Saturday to clarify media reports published on Friday. The reports focused on the new alignment of the 4-lane road connecting Umiam to Malidor, which passes through the Umroi Pyllun area. Residents of Umroi Madan had voiced concerns that the new alignment might affect their local water source.
The village leaders who spoke to the press included PB Sylliang, headman of Umdohbyrthih and chairman of the Eastern Ri Bhoi Development Forum; WS Ryntathiang, Headman of Labansaro; and Lamborlang Makri, Headman of Umroi Madan.
Sylliang explained that during a meeting on October 3 with the Ri-Bhoi district administration and the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), it was clarified that the new alignment had been designed by external experts — not by uninformed locals.
He also noted that the Eastern Ri Bhoi Development Forum had submitted a letter to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on July 11, 2019, expressing approval of the 4-lane road and satisfaction with the government’s progress on the project.
The forum had also written to the Deputy Commissioner of Ri-Bhoi emphasising that the project should move forward without neglecting local concerns.
Regarding the water source in Umroi Madan, Sylliang shared that, according to an engineer from the Water Resources department, the water source would not be impacted, as the new alignment does not cross the catchment areas and would be approximately 60 metres from the source. He also emphasised that they would not support any changes to the current alignment, as reverting to the old one would affect schools, churches, playgrounds, and other public spaces.
Addressing criticisms that the October 3 meeting failed to resolve concerns from those opposed to the project, Sylliang asserted that all objections were addressed. He claimed that accusations to the contrary were attempts by some individuals to advance personal interests.
He also pointed out that returning to the old alignment would lead to costs amounting to thousands of crores due to the need to demolish numerous buildings and homes.
In response to the recent inspection of the Umroi Madan water source by Shillong MP Dr Ricky AJ Syngkon, Sylliang expressed disappointment that the MP had not consulted the village leaders.
Instead, the MP relied on the opinions of a few individuals with potentially self-serving motives. “We urge the honourable MP to consult with the village leaders within Umroi Pyllun when making decisions to avoid unnecessary conflicts,” said Sylliang.
Regarding allegations that the new alignment benefits high-ranking officials and wealthy individuals with ties to the government, WS Ryntathiang clarified that no government officers own land in the Labansaro area along the proposed alignment. However, he acknowledged that such claims might be true in other regions.
Lamborlang Makri also reassured that the new alignment in Umroi Madan does not threaten the village’s water source. This assurance was reaffirmed during the October 3 meeting with the district administration, which promised that the water source would remain unaffected and could potentially be improved.
Addressing concerns about land purchases by wealthy individuals prior to the road project, both Lamborlang Makri and WS Ryntathiang explained that while Khasi villagers cannot restrict fellow Khasi individuals from buying land in the area, they can prevent non-Khasis, including those married to non-indigenous individuals, from acquiring land.
The village leaders concluded by reassuring the public that there is no cause for alarm, as 96% of local residents support the new alignment, with only a few opposing it for personal gain.
