Shillong, Jan 17: Deputy Chief Minister in-charge PWD (Roads) Prestone Tynsong has criticised National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) for the shoddy implementation of Shillong-Dawki road project whereas the Joint Action Committee ( JAC) targetted Tynsong.
“We are not happy with the functioning of the NHIDCL,” Tynsong told reporters on Wednesday.
He supported the protest staged by JAC of the Riwar Mihngi – a conglomeration of tribal chiefs and NGOs – against the dilapidated condition of the Shillong-Pynursla-Dawki road.
He also pointed out that in Assam, there were many complaints against NHIDCL.
Earlier, during its one-day protest, the JAC comprising 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. The JAC has also demanded Tynsong to step down as MLA if the road is left unattended.
With placards, members of the JAC also stormed the office of the NHIDCL at Dhankheti forcing the NHIDCL general manager to invite them for discussion.
The JAC publicity secretary Edmund Khongngai said the dilapidated condition of the road has affected the people of Pynursla for the last three years and the price of essential commodities in Pynursla has also skyrocketed.
Khongngai said the NHIDCL general manager has assured the delegation that repairing of the Shillong-Dawki to Tamabil will 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 said.
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 are 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 should take moral responsibility by stepping down as MLA,” Khongngai asserted.
