By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 14: The Dorbar Shnong Golf Links has issued a one-week ultimatum to a contractor engaged by the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department to restore a damaged road, warning that failure to do so will result in the removal of newly laid water pipelines.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, Golf Links Rangbah Shnong Michael Hek said the Dorbar would also lodge an FIR if the repairs are not completed within the deadline.
“If no action is taken even after the FIR, we will be forced to take drastic steps, including removing the pipes and carrying out the road repairs on our own,” Hek said.
The pipeline work, part of the pending Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme (GSWSS) Phase III, began nearly three months ago.
Hek questioned the utility of the project, stating that residents remain uncertain if water will ever flow through the pipes. “This is a waste of public money. Till today, no one can say with certainty when this scheme will be functional,” he added.
The Rangbah Shnong also criticised the lack of coordination between the Public Works Department (PWD) and the PHE. He claimed that when the Dorbar approached the PWD for repairs, they were told to contact the PHE instead.
“It is the duty of the PWD to maintain and restore roads. Shifting responsibility to the PHE is unacceptable,” Hek said.
Members of the Dorbar Shnong and the Seng Samla Golflink Mawpun Unit inspected the affected stretch on Tuesday. Kordor L. Nongkynrih, president of the youth wing’s Mawpun Unit, noted that while the pipeline installation is finished, the road remains in a dilapidated state, causing severe hardship to Mawpun residents and daily commuters.
