From Our Correspondent
BAGHMARA, May 7: The FKJGP Nongalbibra circle has submitted a formal complaint to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, supporting activist Greneth Sangma’s opposition to transferring the NH 217 project to the NHIDCL.
The move follows a recent petition by Sangma, who urged the Ministry to keep the road project under the state PWD division, citing negligence by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). “We stand in absolute solidarity with the grievances raised concerning the systemic negligence in the management of NH-217,” said FKJGP general secretary Austin Sangma.
He specifically highlighted the “paper-only” completion of the Tura-Dalu section (Km 85 to Km 145), noting that while administrative claims suggest the road is finished, the ground reality shows it remains incomplete.
The organisation further pointed to the rapid deterioration of the Shillong-Baghmara road shortly after its completion as evidence of poor workmanship. They argued that NHIDCL-contracted firms have failed to build infrastructure capable of withstanding the heavy rainfall and unique terrain of the Garo Hills.
“Handing over the Tura Bypass and Dainadubi-Darugiri expansion to NHIDCL, given their track record, poses a direct threat to the safety and livelihood of our citizens,” the FKJGP stated.
In its complaint, the FKJGP demanded an immediate halt to the transfer of NH-217 components and requested that the project remain under the state’s National Highway division. The group also called for an independent inquiry into “false completion reports” and technical failures in current NHIDCL projects within the district.
