SHILLONG, June 20: Deputy Chief Minister in charge of PWD Roads, Prestone Tynsong has left it to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to resolve the problems of landslide and mudflow on the national highways through Meghalaya.
His statement followed a series of mudflows on NH6 at the Sonapur tunnel, frequently affecting the movement of vehicles.
Reacting to a query, Tynsong said instructions have been given to the engineers to be alert, clear any blockade and repair any damage to the roads at the earliest.
He pointed out that the state government has no control over the NH6 manned by the NHAI and the Shillong-Dawki Road under the NHIDCL.
“We are in touch and told them to be proactive to ensure that vehicular movement is not affected,” he said, informing reporters that experts from New Delhi and the IITs keep doing their research on long-term solutions and submitting their reports to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
When asked for an update on the much-delayed Shillong-Dawki Road project, Tynsong said the re-tendering process for Package 1 from Rilbong to Upper Shillong would be finalised soon.
He also said it is the responsibility of NHIDLC to take possession of land from the Defence authorities as the ministry in New Delhi has already decided to part with the land for the project.
“We have handed over all the land to them except for the Defence areas,” Tynsong said.
According to the status report of NHIDCL, only 41.38% of the right of way is available for them under Package 1 of the project.
‘Ri-Bhoi border panel to meet soon’
Speaking on the border issue, Tynsong said he would meet with the members of the Ri-Bhoi regional committee this week after which they would have a joint regional committee meeting with Assam.
The Ri-Bhoi panel is headed by Tynsong and the members include MLAs Sosthenes Sohtun, Mayralborn Syiem, Damanbait Lamare, and Charles Marngar apart from KHADC’s member of district council, Jambor War.
The deputy commissioner of Ri-Bhoi is the member-convener.
Tynsong said many members were out of the station for attending different workshops and they arrived just a couple of days ago.
“Most likely, I will fix a meeting with the members within this week before a joint regional committee meeting with our counterpart in Assam,” he said.
The areas of difference under the Ri-Bhoi district are Borduar, Nongwah-Mawtamur, Desh Doomreah and Block II.
