Resubelpara, Oct 9: Anger is apparent in the faces of North Garo Hills (NGH) residents, who feel they have been given the short end of the stick due to slow progress of the construction of the vital Damra – Bajengdoba road that passes through the entire district and connects all the important places.
The anger has been due to the construction company, despite assurances of an early completion, finishing only 27% of the work as of the end of September, almost 22 months into their contract. The stretch of road measures only 36 km starting from Damra in Assam to Bajengdoba in Meghalaya. Two of the main towns in NGH, Resubelpara and Mendipathar falls on the route.
The latest development in the road situation was informed by PWD sources from the district through which the road runs through. The department officials, however, felt that the road would be constructed on time despite the passage of two years and extremely slow progress.
The original contract to the road, which was provided to Badri Rai & Co, has raised anger amongst the local population due to the delay leading to many questioning the stance of the government towards development in the district of NGH.
Various complaints by local groups and leaders had been made to the deputy commissioner as well the government seeking the speedy completion of the road. The complaints even led to the Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma, visiting the site to speak to the contractors.
During the visit, the contractors had promised to complete the road within November this year. However, the assurances have been hollow and road construction has hardly progressed following the visit by the CM.
A visit through the road from Bajengdoba onwards just two weeks ago showed only a few excavators and dumpers, with a maximum of about 20 employees engaged in road building work. The work that they were undertaking still consisted of earth cutting, something that should have been completed a year ago.
Contract documents show that the company that was given the contract has been provided 42 months to complete the road as it was provided to them during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However as of last week, various NGOs of the district claimed that the company had stopped construction completely leading to them threatening an agitation if work was not begun with immediate effect.
The consternation among the local population is validated given the unhealthy situation that has been brought about by the open sections of the road.
“It generally used to take us an hour to traverse the entire road length between Damra – Bajengdoba as the condition was dilapidated. However the road has now been opened up through the entire stretch becoming dusty and unhealthy. It has now been two years and the people have to suffer,” said social activist from Resubelpara, Wilness Marak.
Marak questioned the amount of leeway given to the contractor in executing the project in NGH. Whereas other contractors were given only two years for completion, the government and by extension seem to have bent over backwards to provide them extra time.
“This leads us to a serious question as to why the people are being allowed to suffer just to please the contracting company that is concerned with the project. These contrasting acts have made life a living hell for most of the population from the district. If they can lie to the CM, then what guarantee do we have that the project will be completed on time,” asked Wilness.
What is even more interesting is the department has been loathe to take action against the contractors despite various transgressions. As per the contract, the project needed to be completed by the same company that was provided the project and failing to do so would entail legal action.
However, the company not only sub let the project, but did so twice. Despite the matter coming to light of PWD authorities, no action has been taken against the group. The department confirmed that the project was now being worked on BRC itself.
“Initially there was problem with stones to be procured for the road. That was solved early this year after a site was approved and all NOCs taken. However the advent of the monsoon stopped major work from being undertaken. We are sure the project will be completed within the deadline,” said the EE of NGH when contacted.
The EE however did not comment on why action was not taken against BRC for the breach of contract.
Despite the assurances by the EE, residents have not been impressed.
“They will not complete this road ever and there is a reason for it. The money for this project has been diverted by the NPP for the Manipur elections last year. Where will the contractor get the money to complete the road,” asked local UDP leader, Balnangh Sangma.
Sangma asserted that the NPP along with the CM had failed the state and made the pitch queer for leaders of Garo Hills to become CM in the coming term.
“Conrad Sangma has overseen thousands of cases of corruption in his 4 and ½ years. They will lie once again that they built roads, infrastructure, etc; but these will never get completed as the money has been diverted. Even Rs 100 crores for the GHADC was diverted into the last Manipur elections. This road will only be taken up seriously if the UDP leads the next government as a single party,” felt Balnangh.
While the claims of the UDP leader will have to await the formation of the next government, what however is true is the suffering of people due to the delay in the project’s completion.
“The route is not a long one and should have been completed within a period of 2 years but at the rate they are going, it will possibly take a decade. We can’t stand idle while the people suffer. The department and the government have to come down hard on the contractor and ensure the road is completed to save us from the torment. People face problems moving through it everyday” said ADE president of NGH, Sandarjiman Momin.
“The road is a dust bowl and extremely strenuous for people with any breathing problems. It’s dusty, unhygienic and unbearable to travel on during most days. The government needs to work out its problems and get these contractors to work. Why is any special preference being given to people who are unwilling to put our state first,” asked another resident, Brayan Marak.
