Ranikor road project
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 13: The National Highways Demand Committee-South West Khasi Hills District (NHDC-SWKHD) on Wednesday demanded the immediate restoration of the double-lane plan for the Mawngap-Mawphlang-Laitmawsiang-Mawkyrwat-Rangthong-Nongnah-Dirang-Khadphra (Ranikor) Road Project.
Speaking to reporters, committee chairman Kynpham Kharlyngdoh recalled that the road was proposed by the Centre in 2013, later approved for conversion into a National Highway and, more importantly, as a double-lane highway.
He said the decision was not casual as it came after the dedicated efforts of the then MLA, late Rowell Lyngdoh, who personally engaged with the Centre and secured a firm assurance from the Union Minister, with the help of then Shillong MP Vincent H. Pala.
Kharlyngdoh further stated that a survey and Detailed Project Report (DPR) based on a double-lane design were initiated in May 2020.
He added that Mawkyrwat MLA S. Renikton Lyngdoh had announced that work would soon commence under the Ministry of Road Transport, with the DPR contract awarded to M/s Global Infra, followed by another announcement on January 11, 2021.
“Due to the state government’s failure to cooperate with NHIDCL and the Centre, the project was suspended. Not for technical reasons and not due to lack of funds. But it was suspended because of ego clashes, political rivalry and vested interests. This is shameful,” Kharlyngdoh said.
He then went on to allege that certain individuals in power chose to settle scores and manipulate the process for personal gain, at the expense of over 1,000 villages that depend on the road daily. According to him, the project under the NH-44E is not some remote rural path but a lifeline and strategic economic artery that supports thousands of farmers, workers, traders, students and patients across two districts.
“And now we are being told that instead of a double-lane highway, the government wants to downgrade the project to an intermediate lane. Obviously, we are not against it, but this road is very important, and it is the need of the hour to restore the double-lane highway as it is the aspiration of the people of these areas who are using this road as their lifeline,” he said.
Kharlyngdoh claimed that the downgrade is being pushed to benefit a public representative, possibly because he or she is a contractor who wants to manipulate the contract works for personal gain. “This is unacceptable. Public infrastructure is not a playground for personal deals,” he maintained.
Along with the restoration of the double-lane plan, the committee has demanded full cooperation from the state government with NHIDCL and the Centre, an end to political interference and manipulation and a clear public explanation for why the downgrade was proposed in the first place.
“This is not just a road. It’s a matter of fairness, development and the right to equal infrastructure. We will not allow the progress of an entire region to be hijacked by narrow interests,” Kharlyngdoh asserted, adding that public interest must be protected and public good must come first.