By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 18: The repeated failure to meet deadlines for the Rilbong-Mylliem stretch of the Shillong-Dawki road project has sparked sharp criticism from political and social groups, who accuse the state government of mismanagement and compromising public safety.
The JICA-funded project remains unfinished despite an earlier assurance from Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong that the four-lane work would be completed by December last year.
Criticising the missed deadline, FKJGP Upper Shillong Circle president Kitboklang Nongphlang said the delay was expected. “Politicians depend on reports submitted by companies rather than ground reality. Had the minister been in touch with the actual situation, such an announcement would not have been made,” Nongphlang said.
He attributed the slow progress to the incompetence of the firm engaged to lay Public Health Engineering (PHE) pipelines. He noted that a burst water pipe in the 101 Area last December took an unusually long time to repair, stalling road construction. Nongphlang also claimed the private firm hired by NHIDCL lacks the heavy machinery required to expedite work in the upper reaches of the stretch.
Safety remains a primary concern. Nongphlang highlighted the Lummawbah–Lai Mer section, describing it as hazardous for two-wheeler riders who frequently skid on the wet road surface. He warned that the stretch would become “extremely dangerous” if not completed before the monsoon.
Echoing these concerns, Mylliem Block Congress Committee (MBCC) leader Lionel Nongkhlaw blamed the NPP-led government for failures in planning and execution. He noted that broken surfaces, excessive dust, and poor traffic management have turned the project into a “long-standing hardship” for the public.
“Ambulances, school buses, and public transport are frequently trapped in congestion. With schools reopening, the absence of pedestrian crossings and signage puts students at serious risk,” Nongkhlaw said. He also noted that local businesses are losing customers due to the prolonged construction and dust.
Nongkhlaw questioned why contractors have not been penalized for repeated delays and demanded immediate government action.
The MBCC’s demands include a revised construction schedule with weekly public updates; the blacklisting of erring contractors and disciplinary action against officials; the appointment of an independent monitoring committee featuring engineers and civil society representatives; immediate safety measures, including proper surfacing, lighting, and the deployment of traffic marshals; dust control measures and potential compensation for affected residents and businesses.
CM flags gaps in road, bridge connectivity
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, meanwhile, has underscored the importance of physical road and bridge connectivity, stating that economic growth must go hand in hand with equity to ensure no village is left behind.
Clarifying that the issue at hand was not related to high-speed internet or digital connectivity, Sangma said the concern was about basic physical connectivity, where every mile and every bridge mattered. He pointed out that there were still villages without proper bridges, forcing residents to cross rivers on foot, even as the state spoke of achieving a 10-billion-dollar economy.
The Chief Minister said the government’s focus was to ensure that while Meghalaya progressed economically, it did not overlook such critical gaps. He questioned whether it was fair for the state to advance towards a major economic milestone while certain villages continued to lack basic infrastructure like bridges.
Sangma explained that this was precisely the rationale behind the government’s emphasis on commitments alongside economic targets. He said growth had to be balanced and inclusive, ensuring that all sections of society benefited equally.
He added that equity in development meant addressing multiple aspects simultaneously, including water supply, power connectivity, internet access, housing, quality healthcare, nutrition for children, and physical road and bridge connectivity. According to him, these elements together helped balance the growth narrative and ensured that development reached everyone.
The Chief Minister said these priorities were being clearly communicated to the government team so that there was a shared understanding of the objectives and the direction in which the state was moving, stressing that inclusive growth remained central to the government’s long-term vision.
