TURA, AUG 26: The Garo Students Union (GSU)-southern zone- drew the attention of union minister for road and highway Nitin Gadkari on the ‘pathetic’ road condition in South Garo Hills. The union dashed off their grievances in an email to Gadkari.
In its letter to Gadkari, the GSU termed national highway – 51 and 62 as “no road” and demanded his intervention. The union said that the concerned department has neglected the NH-51 stretch from Tura to Karonggre and NH-62 stretch from Dangsa A’we to Karonggre in South Garo Hills.
They said that the road has remained without proper repair since 1980s.
The GSU said that the particular stretch of road is in shambles, which has affected surface communication. “Travel has become nightmare, which has affected supply of basic necessities. The region has suffered a lot due to the failure of the road communication system”, the letter said.
Pointing on the tourism potential of South Garo Hills, which is a bio hotspot region in Meghalaya, the GSU said that the road accessibility has failed to attract tourist, which could have boost the socio-economic condition of the people. “The road has affected the marketing of agriculture and horticulture produce to a great extend”, the letter said.
“The repair works for the road comes once in blue moon. However, the huge potholes are evident within one month. We feel that poor quality of work is the main reason. It is the failure of contractor and the concern department”, the letter added.
The letter also pointed that the potholes are mostly repaired by mud and rarely black topped. “The unreliable maintenance of the road makes it more vulnerable during rainy season as the weak road cannot sustain heavy traffic”, the letter said.
Stating that central government has sanctioned funds for ambitious road projects in Meghalaya and other northeastern states, the GSU stated that the benefit of these funds has not been percolated down to South Garo Hills.
Terming that state government acknowledges the sorry state of affairs, however was not willing to give an attention, the GSU said in its letter, “We are compelled and desperate to point to you about our grievances”.
Giving a detail on the road, the GSU said that in about 110 km stretches; one can drive at a speed of 20km per hour. “To travel is such a slow speed in a sensitive region like South Garo Hills gives more advantage to rebel group”, the letter said.
The GSU also pointed on the frequent kidnapping, which has taken place along this route. “People are in a big no choice situation but bound to travel in this road, which disturbs their peace of mind and causes a lot of depression, fear and anxiety”, the letter pointed to Gadkari.
On weak wooden bridge, the GSU sought immediate central government intervention for its replacement.
“The wooden bridge in several parts of the district gets collapsed two to three times in a year, which disconnects the entire region. During rainy seasons sometimes travellers have to spend their night in the jungle”, they said.
The GSU informed Gadkari that South Garo Hills has contributed towards revenue generation in past and present through coal taxes but then the region has remained neglected.-From Our Correspondent
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