By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 3: Opposition Congress MLA Ronnie V Lyngdoh on Monday questioned the state government over issues arising from the construction of the Shillong-Dawki Road project, which has been causing inconvenience to residents of his constituency and beyond.
Lyngdoh asked whether the government was aware of the construction challenges along the Shillong-Dawki Road project, particularly at 4th Mile and 6th Mile (Eastern Air Command) in Upper Shillong. He highlighted that water accumulation from pipeline leakages was hindering the progress of the project.
Acknowledging the issue, Public Health Engineering (PHE) Minister Marcuise N Marak informed the House that remedial measures have already been taken, and the leakages near Mattilang Junction, the tea garden, and Shillong Peak Junction have been fixed.
Raising a supplementary question, Lyngdoh pointed out that due to the road’s alignment and gradient adjustments, the approach roads to houses and villages at 4th and 5th Mile had been significantly lowered, making access difficult for residents.
“People are struggling to come out of their homes due to the lowered gradient,” he said, urging Deputy Chief Minister and PWD Minister Prestone Tynsong to take up the matter with NHIDCL and ensure that proper approach roads are constructed to ease movement for villagers.
In response, Tynsong acknowledged the problem, stating, “We have faced several such issues. Recently, I held a meeting with NHIDCL and instructed them that wherever existing roads have been lowered — by 4-5 metres or even 1-2 feet — solutions must be implemented. At the very least, proper approaches to affected areas must be provided.”
