Deputy Chief Minister in-charge PWD (Roads) Prestone Tynsong on Wednesday slammed the style and functioning of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), which is implementing the Shillong-Dawki road project in the state.
“We are not happy with the functioning of the NHIDCL,” Tynsong told reporters.
The deputy chief minister also supported the protest staged by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Riwar Mihngi – a conglomeration of tribal chiefs and NGOs – against the dilapidated condition of the Shillong-Pynursla-Dawki road.
“I am so happy with the Synjuk ki Rangbah Shnong along with NGOs coming up and showing their protest. I think this is good as even me I support that (protest) because I have seen the style and functioning of the NHIDCL,” Tynsong said.
According to him, recently in Assam lots of complaints were also lodged by the public against the NHIDCL.
Asked on the kind of action to be taken against the company, the deputy CM said, “I will soon call a review meeting, I will discuss with them and accordingly I will let you know.”
During its one-day protest held today, the JAC comprises of the Federation of Riwar Mihngi local dorbar and HANM – has served a 20-day ultimatum to the state government to direct the NHIDCL to immediate repair the Shillong-Pynursla-Dawki road, failing which a PIL will be filed to seek the intervention of the Meghalaya High Court on this regard. The JAC has also demanded Tynsong to step down as MLA if the road is left unattended.
Armed with placards, members of the JAC also stormed the office of the NHIDCL at Dhankheti here as a mark of protest against its failure. This has forced the NHIDCL general manager to invite the JAC leaders for discussion.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, JAC publicity secretary Edmund Khongngai said that the dilapidated condition and sorry state of affairs of the road has to a great extent affected the people of Pynursla for the last three years.
He said due to the bad roads, the price of essential commodities in Pynursla has also skyrocketed and inturn affected the common people.
When asked, Khongngai said the NHIDCL general manager has assured the delegation that repairing of the Shillong-Dawki to Tamabil will immediately be taken up within 20 days time.
“We have made it clear to them that if the road is not repaired within 20 days, we will be left with no option but to file a PIL before the Meghalaya High Court for its necessary intervention,” he stated.
On the other hand, the JAC also slammed the deputy chief minister for not fulfilling his promises as an MLA of Pynursla constituency.
“Despite the people of the constituency suffering due to the deplorable condition of the road, the local MLA has failed to take any stern action against the NHIDCL and its contractors till today. Therefore, we feel that if the road is not being repaired within 20 days, he (Tynsong) should take moral responsibility by stepping down as MLA,” Khongngai said.
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