SHILLONG, APR 27: Voice of the People Party (VPP) MDC Shemborlang Rynjah has sought urgent intervention from Union Minister Nitin Gadkari over unsafe conditions on the Shillong–Pynursla–Dawki road, stating that at least 10 people have died in accidents along the stretch since 2023.
In a letter dated April 25, 2026, to the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Rynjah said ongoing widening works have led to a disturbing increase in accidents, including multiple fatalities caused by landslides, falling boulders, and unsafe road conditions.
Writing as the Member of District Council representing Lyngkyrdem–Laitkroh in East Khasi Hills, he described the road as a critical lifeline for the people of the region and an important corridor connecting Shillong to Dawki.
Rynjah cited recent media reports to underline the danger, including the reported death of two individuals after a landslide caused massive boulders to crush their vehicle near Mawlieh.
He added, “Notably, since 2023 till date, at least ten lives have been lost in accidents along this stretch due to landslides and related hazards.”
The MDC said the corridor connects key tourist destinations such as Dawki, Shnongpdeng and Mawlynnong, and that frequent disruptions are now hurting the local economy.
“The unsafe road conditions and frequent disruptions are adversely affecting tourism, local livelihoods, and the overall image of the region,” he said.
He also flagged the impact on healthcare access.
“This has caused immense hardship to the people, particularly during medical emergencies, where delays in transportation have posed grave risks to human lives,” Rynjah wrote.
According to the letter, residents and commuters have repeatedly raised complaints about unsafe conditions within his constituency.
Rynjah alleged that the incidents reflect systemic lapses in safety compliance and cited violations of the Motor Vehicles Act, Indian Road Congress standards, and work-zone safety guidelines.
Among the failures he listed were the absence of warning signage, reflectors and crash barriers in high-risk zones, poorly managed diversions, increased landslide risks from unscientific hill-cutting, lack of real-time monitoring, and no visible accountability of contractors and implementing agencies.
“The continued exposure of commuters to such hazardous conditions may amount to gross negligence and constitutes a serious violation of the Right to Life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India,” he said.
Rynjah urged the ministry to order an independent road safety audit of the entire stretch, ensure immediate installation of crash barriers and slope stabilization measures, provide proper signage and lighting, fix accountability of contractors including NHIDCL where applicable, deploy monitoring teams and emergency response, regulate high-risk construction during bad weather, and expedite completion of the project.
“While infrastructure development is essential, it cannot come at the cost of human lives. The repeated loss of lives on this critical stretch demands urgent and decisive action,” he said, requesting Gadkari’s personal intervention for immediate corrective measures to safeguard commuters.
By Our Reporter
