By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 1: The PWD (Roads) has asked Green Tech Foundation (GTF) to submit a letter to the department in order to pave the way for demolition of an allegedly illegal pavement construction near Wah Thangsning at Nongrimbah, Laitumkhrah.
Informing this after meeting the Executive Engineer of PWD (Roads) here on Wednesday, Foundation chairman H Bansiewdor Nonglang said, “We were assured that they will demolish the pavement but we will need to submit it in writing. We are going to submit our letter on Thursday.”
After his meeting with the PWD Executive Engineer, the PWD (Roads), Meghalaya Pollution Control Board (MSPCB), Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) and other departments had carried out a joint inspection of the area.
Countering claims that such illegal constructions are being carried out in many areas, the GTF chairman said that inspections will be conducted to identify similar illegal activities. “I want to assure that we are going to take similar stand if there is such illegal construction,” Nonglang said.
Earlier, GTF chairman had pointed out that construction over Wah Thangsning, specifically at the boundary between Nongrimbah and Nongrim Hills, raises questions despite strict norms and even a standing order passed by the High Court of Meghalaya.
He said that such activities pose a threat to life and property along the stretch of the water body.
Moreover, rules and regulations as prescribed under the Meghalaya Water bodies (Preservation and Conservation) Guidelines, 2023, have deliberately been violated by the very prima facie act of encroachment over the water body, the GTF said.
“The unlawful and illegal construction over the water body has blatantly violated all norms implemented so as to control pollution and maintain the pristine beauty of a water body in the state of Meghalaya. Moreover, it may be perceived that the person(s) accountable for such unlawful and illegal construction have disregarded all norms and sought to bypass the operation of law”, it said.
The Foundation had stressed on the need to conduct an inquiry into the matter to identify all defaulting officials who have allowed the unlawful and illegal construction superseding all laws and violation thereof.