From Our Correspondent
NONGPOH, Oct 10: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), North Khasi Hills District unit, has issued a stern warning to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), demanding visible action within one month to address the long-pending road safety and maintenance issues along National Highway-6 (NH-6) in Nongpoh and other parts of the district.
In a statement, KSU North Khasi Hills district president, Ferdynald Kharkamni, said the Union has been raising the issue since 2016, yet it has only led to repeated site inspections without any tangible progress.
He accused the NHAI and concerned officials of engaging in “delaying tactics” that have wasted the valuable time of village leaders and failed to bring real improvements on the ground.
Cautioning that if no initiative is seen within a month, Kharkamni said the KSU will be compelled to shut down the NHAI toll plaza at 20 Mile, Pahammawlein.
Kharkamni then asserted that it is meaningless for NHAI to collect toll fees while neglecting the safety and welfare of the people of Ri-Bhoi.
Meanwhile, the KSU’s latest petition to the Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal outlined several urgent concerns requiring immediate attention, including the installation of floodlights at Downgate and near Alpha English Higher Secondary School and Bethany Hospital to prevent night-time accidents; the creation of zebra crossings at key locations to protect pedestrians, especially students and the elderly; the repair of potholes and completion of the flyover footbridge, footpath, and drainage covers within Nongpoh town; the construction of proper drainage and canal systems to prevent waterlogging during the monsoon season; and the installation of road signs, diversions, and indicators to improve traffic flow and commuter safety.
Kharkamni said these issues have been pending for far too long and that the people of Ri-Bhoi “cannot be taken for granted any longer.”
He called on the district administration and NHAI to coordinate effectively and resolve the matter at the earliest.
Meanwhile, general secretary of the KSU North Khasi Hills District unit, James H. Mawphniang, has urged the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC) to establish a permanent examination centre in Ri-Bhoi district, while arguing that the absence of such a facility continues to disadvantage aspirants from the area.
Currently, candidates must travel to Shillong—about 53 km from Nongpoh and up to 120 km from remote parts of the district such as Jirang, Khanapara and Umsiang—to sit for MPSC examinations.
The Union pointed out that this not only imposes financial strain and travel difficulties but also discourages participation among economically weaker students.
Mawphniang added that Nongpoh, being the district headquarters and home to several established educational institutions, is well-equipped to host an MPSC centre, especially since other central-level examinations such as CUET are already being conducted there.
The Union also urged the DC to ensure a fair and transparent recruitment process under the upcoming District Selection Committee (DSC) examinations, to prioritise local youth during the recruitment drive, and to expedite the pending DSC examination, which has faced prolonged delays.
The KSU further requested that video recordings of the interview process be made to ensure transparency, a suggestion the DC has reportedly agreed to examine.
The KSU has expressed confidence that timely intervention by the authorities would ensure both improved road safety and fair access to employment opportunities for the youth of Ri-Bhoi district.
