CEM delaying NOC for road project
SHILLONG: As many as 60 villages of South West Khasi Hills have come together to serve a 15 day ultimatum to the P.N. Syiem led Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to answer to their demands and issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to BSC C&C JV Company to allow the firm to go ahead with construction of the two lane Nongstoin-Mawthabah road project.
The road project sanctioned by the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways is hanging fire for long for want of an NOC from the KHADC.
The proposed road will have a length of 61.51 km from Rangblang-Nongstoin-Wahkaji-Mawthabah and is estimated to be built at a cost of Rs 485.28 crore.
Having unsuccessfully approached the KHADC CEM on more than one occasion, representatives of the 60 villages assisted by the local pressure groups formed a Joint Action Committee on two lane road from Nongstoin to Mawthabah (JACLRNM) on Friday and severely censured the KHADC for sitting idle on such an important project that is expected to improve the fortunes of all the villages along the route.
JAC chairman Ricky Sohlang said representatives of village heads and NGOs lamented the delay by the CEM in issuing the NOC despite approaching him personally a couple of times.
“If the CEM fails to act within 15 days the JAC will be compelled to knock on the doors of the High Court,” warned Sohlang.
“We have also decided to demand from the CEM to convene a public hearing where people supporting the road project are requested to attend but no outsiders will be allowed. Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) must be produced for verification before attending the public hearing,” Sohlang added.
