By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 13: Peeved at the blasting operations conducted on the National Highway-40, the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) Riwar Mihngi Circle has moved the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Pynursla Civil Sub-Division, Evarinia Liza Warjri, urging the official to ensure that all blasting work is carried out after 11 pm, while seeking a complete halt to daytime blasting.
In a representation submitted to Warjri, FKJGP Riwar Mihngi Circle president Evanfield Khonglam urged the administration to enforce strict safety protocols for nighttime blasting.
These include issuing prior public notices on blasting schedules, implementing temporary road closures and traffic control, using controlled blasting techniques to minimize vibration and fly rock, and ensuring supervision by qualified officials and law enforcement personnel.
Khonglam also emphasised the need for a grievance redressal mechanism that would allow residents and farmers to report damages or violations, with provisions for compensation where harm occurs. “This is a matter of urgent public safety. Daytime blasting on NH-40 has already caused major incidents and severely affected the livelihoods and peace of the local community,” Khonglam stated.
He warned that ongoing daytime blasting poses imminent danger to commuters and local residents.
The FKJGP cited a recent incident on September 24 when a blasting operation at Pomlum triggered a massive landslip, blocking both lanes of NH-40 and sparking public panic. “The event could have easily resulted in fatalities,” the group noted.
Farmers in the area have also been forced to abandon their fields during the day out of fear of being struck by rock fragments or caught in landslides.
The organisation argued that such conditions threaten farmers’ right to livelihood and food security, which form part of the fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.
The group further highlighted that frequent daytime blasts have caused noise, dust, and disruption, disturbing schools, markets, and daily community activities—amounting to a public nuisance.
Citing legal provisions, the FKJGP pointed out that the ongoing blasting activities violate multiple statutory laws.
Khonglam also suggested the SDO to invoke BNS 152 empowering an Executive Magistrate to regulate or remove activities that pose immediate danger or nuisance in public spaces.
While urging the SDO to exercise this authority to protect public safety, he said that they trust in her commitment to the welfare of the people and look forward to her prompt intervention.
The FKJGP Riwar Mihngi Circle president also pointed to best practices in other hilly states such as Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Sikkim, where highway projects mandate nighttime blasting during low-traffic hours, along with complete roadblocks and advance public notices to minimise danger.
He said that Meghalaya should adopt a similar “safety-first approach” to prevent further accidents and ensure peace for local residents.
