By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 24: The Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) has strongly refuted claims that the delay in completing the Rilbong-Upper Shillong four-lane road is due to its inaction.
PHE Chief Engineer, R.S. Nongbri, stated that the assertion of the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) that the PHED could have shifted the pipelines 4-5 months ago is factually incorrect.
According to standard practice, pipelines must be laid 2-3 metres below the final road formation level, and only after the executing agency has completed earth excavation and construction of protection walls.
“Pipeline laying works can only commence thereafter,” the Chief Engineer explained, adding that NHIDCL had not completed the necessary excavation or expansion up to the road formation level in stretches within the 101 Area until October 2025.
“Therefore, any pipeline laying work prior to this would have been technically unfeasible,” he said.
Asserting that the PHED has consistently shown readiness to carry out pipeline laying wherever feasible, Nongbri pointed out that the department’s contractor has faced repeated stoppages by NHIDCL. Significant stretches (between 0+700 km and 0+100 km) remain inaccessible due to pending Right of Way (ROW) clearance from NHIDCL.
“Official communications requesting clearance were sent to NHIDCL on December 15 and 19, yet the matter remains unresolved,” the department stated, emphasising that it has maintained a cooperative stance and exercised patience despite operational hurdles.
“It is unjust to single out the PHED for delays that stem from NHIDCL’s inability to meet the December 2025 deadline,” the statement added, urging NHIDCL and all stakeholders to acknowledge the technical and procedural requirements involved in such infrastructure projects.
