SHILLONG, Oct 24: The Opposition in Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on Friday urged the Voice of the People Party-led Executive Committee (EC) to hand over the Wahkaji-Nongtnger-Mawthabah road in South West Khasi Hills to the Public Works Department (PWD) for repairs.
Raising the issue during Question Hour on the final day of the council’s winter session, United Democratic Party’s (UDP) Langrin MDC Pius Marwein said the council lacks sufficient funds to maintain or repair the road, which has been in a dilapidated condition for years. The road connects 11 villages and its poor state has caused severe inconvenience to residents.
Marwein told the House that the road has already been listed under PMGSY-IV and the villagers have repeatedly called for handing it over to the PWD to ensure timely repairs.
He categorically stated that repairing the road should not be misconstrued as facilitating uranium mining, pointing out that the people living along the stretch also have a right to development.
“…The area is uranium-rich, but that should not deprive the 11 villages of proper road connectivity,” Marwein said.
Supporting the suggestion, Laban-Mawprem MDC Ricky Shullai urged the EC to visit the site to understand the hardships being faced by the people. He proposed that the council issue a no objection certificate (NOC) to the government for repairing the road without handing over the land.
“A good road is the right of the people. The EC can write to the government expressing its willingness to give an NOC for repairs,” Shullai added.
In his reply, KHADC Executive Member in charge of Council Assets, Pynkhrawboklin Kharjahrin, said the EC is yet to deliberate on the matter. He said the road would remain under the council’s jurisdiction, emphasising that the EC would explore “ways and means” to undertake the repair work.
Kharjahrin said the KHADC is ready to issue an NOC to any department willing to carry out repairs, but ruled out the possibility of handing over the road to the PWD.
“We need to examine the matter carefully before handing over any council asset. The Wahkaji-Mawthabah road leads to areas rich in uranium deposits, and hence, it will remain under the council’s control,” he stated.
He assured that the EC will review the issue thoroughly and take an appropriate decision in the interest of the people.
“I understand the people’s difficulties, as I recently visited the area. We will take a call after proper examination, but handing over the road to PWD is not possible,” Kharjahrin said.
