Sit-in strike for road repair in South Garo

TURA, APR 17: A conglomeration of ngos from South Garo hills has called for a sit-in-demonstration on April 20 at Baghmara at the premises of Deputy Commissioner’s office to press for their demand for repair of road communication in the district.

The ngos comprising of Garo Students Union (GSU), Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Association for Democracy and Empowerment (ADE), All A’chik Youth Federation (AAYF) and A’chik Students Welfare Association (ASWA) had submitted a memorandum to chief minister Mukul Sangma seeking government’s assurance on complete restoration and extension of National Highway – 62 and replacement of wooden bridges in the district with RCC bridge.

President of GSU Southern Zone Chuba Marak said, “If government fails to respond to our demand, we will hold series of protest in the district”.

Meanwhile, A’chik Youth Council (AYC) on Sunday also sought for immediate repair of the National Highway – 51 and National Highway – 62 stating the poor condition of the road has made life miserable for commuters.

“The road from Tura to Dalu and Dalu to Baghmara has been in very bad shape for a long time now. It is a huge concern that the road continues to deteriorate every day with nothing being done to relieve the pain”, said president of AYC, Dimseng Marak.

The NGO pointed to the NH-51 still remaining incomplete with work being completed only up to Asanang, near Tura “The roads have remained the same from Tura to Dalu and from Dalu to Damsa Awe in South Garo Hills. It is very sad to see the state of the daily commuters. We will meet the authorities to discuss the matter and seek a solution”, Dimseng added.

“The roads resemble paddy fields during rainy season. It is narrow and the black topping has not been repaired for years”, he said.

The ngo further demanded that the state government speed up the projects in the pipeline and repair the NH-51 and 62 before the rainy season.-From Our Correspondent