By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 31: A goods vehicle carrying poultry narrowly escaped plunging into a deep gorge after being hit by falling rocks along the Shillong-Pynursla road on Tuesday morning, raising serious concerns over safety measures at an ongoing road construction site.
The incident occurred around 9.30 a.m. when a Maruti Super Carry (ML10D-3097), transporting broiler chickens to Pynursla, was passing between Laitkynsew village and Pomlum. According to reports, falling rocks struck the vehicle while it was in motion, damaging it and injuring the driver. A few occupants travelling in the vehicle also sustained minor injuries.
Sources said the rockfall was triggered by excavation work carried out by a company engaged in the Shillong-Tamabil road project.
The workers engaged by the company allegedly cut rocks as vehicles moved on the road below.
On March 27, the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Pynursla Civil Sub-Division announced the reopening of the Laitlyngkot-Lyngkyrdem stretch with regulated traffic movement.
According to the order, vehicular movement is permitted until 10:30 a.m. and restricted thereafter till 3 p.m., and again from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., to facilitate the construction work.
However, eyewitnesses claimed that construction activity was ongoing even during permitted traffic hours, leading to the hazardous situation. They alleged that debris from the hillside blocked portions of the road, causing inconvenience and posing risks to commuters.
Earlier, the authorities advised travellers to remain vigilant, especially during the monsoon season, due to the likelihood of landslides. Tuesday’s incident has, however, raised questions over compliance with safety protocols by the executing agency.
Fortunately, rocks along the roadside prevented the vehicle from veering off into the gorge, averting what could have been a fatal accident.
Local commuters have expressed concern over the apparent violation of safety norms and urged the district administration to ensure strict adherence to traffic regulations and construction guidelines to prevent such incidents in the future.
