By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 4: Five of a family died after their vehicle had fallen into a 200-meter-deep gorge at Rngain near Lyngkyrdem along the Shillong-Dawki Road on Sunday evening.
The deceased were identified as Meban Ador Marbaniang, his wife Risbun Kurbah, their one-year-and-four-month-old son Damebanshngain Kurbah, Meban’s brother Aimeki Marbaniang and Ellida Marbaniang (mother of Meban and Aimeki).
According to reports, the five were travelling from Bhoirymbong to their home at Lyngkyrdem when the mishap occurred at a landslide-hit damaged stretch of the road. Lack of visibility due to heavy fog and heavy rain is believed to be the reason behind the accident.
The personnel of Pynursla Police Station, along with the members of a search and rescue team and locals, went down the road and retrieved the bodies.
Govt seeks detailed report
Deputy Chief Minister in charge of PWD, Prestone Tynsong has sought a detailed report on the incident. He directed the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) to put up road signs along the vulnerable stretches of the under-construction road.
Tynsong, who is also the Pynursla MLA, said the accident occurred at around 7.30 pm when there was heavy fog after the Laitlyngkot area.
“I was informed that there was heavy fog and they wanted to overtake a truck when the vehicle fell into the gorge,” he said.
He instructed the contractor, NHIDCL and other local authorities to make sure road signs are properly displayed.
The chief engineer of NHIDCL is set to visit the vulnerable areas on Wednesday to take stock of the situation and ensure that road signs are properly displayed.
Asked about compensation for the family of the victims, Tynsong said it is not clear whether the accident occurred due to the driver’s fault or due to the fault of the road construction company. “Let us wait till a report is submitted,” he said.
Asked about restrictions imposed on the stretch due to the construction work, he said directions have been given to review the timing of restrictions.
“We may fully lift the restriction timing during day time and impose it at night to allow the company to work,” the minister said.
Stating that it is very difficult to drive along the stretch, he said the government had earlier advised people to avoid travelling on the Shillong-Pynursla Road at night.