From Our Correspondent
JOWAI, June 18: In a significant boost to connectivity for villagers in the border areas, a suspension footbridge over the Amsngad River in Ratacherra village, East Jaintia Hills district, was inaugurated by Sutnga-Saipung MLA Santa Mary Shylla on Tuesday.
Funded by the state government under the Inter-State Border Areas Development Programme (ISBADP) 2023-24, the footbridge is expected to greatly benefit people living in the border regions, particularly the villagers of Saitual.
Speaking during the inaugural programme, the MLA lauded the efforts of the villagers and the office of the Border Areas Development Officer (BADO), Khliehriat, for their collective work in ensuring the successful completion of the project.
She informed that the footbridge would significantly enhance connectivity, especially for residents of the border areas.
Shylla also noted that the bridge would connect the people of Saitual more closely with neighboring villages, including Ratacherra, Umkiang and others.
On the other hand, Ratacherra village headman, Pynkhlain Dhar, also praised the implementation of the project. He remarked that earlier, villagers from Saitual had faced difficulties in crossing the area and residents of Ratacherra also encountered hurdles in reaching the other side of the river for agricultural purposes.
These challenges, he said, would now be resolved with the inauguration of the footbridge.