Shillong, July 22: VPP president Ardent Basiawmoit has urged East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner to stop the excavation work part of Shillong-Dawki road at Mawshun being carried out by NHIDCL.
Ardent said the VPP on the request of the village authorities of Mawshun made a visit to Mawshun village in order to get a firsthand information about the entire issue in connection with the acquisition of land for the improvement of Shillong – Dawki road of NH.40
“It was found that the NHIDCL has carried out excavation works in a land which has not been given and handed over by the land owners and also against the decision of the Village Durbar. Further, the NHIDCL has also destroyed some lands of the villagers which have not been acquired for the construction of the said road. The land owners had already filed the First information report (FIR), against the company for causing damage to the lands, trees, crops and vegetations”, Ardent said.
He said it is quite obvious that streams and many water bodies around the areas will be affected over and above the destruction of flora and fauna. It will also reduce the forest cover and badly affect the ecosystem in the area.
“We are also made to understand that the Village Durbar was not against this road project, however they want that the same should be carried out through the existing road only”, Ardent pointed out.
“In the light of the above findings and the appeal of the village authorities, I would like to urge you to kindly intervene into the matter and immediately stop the ongoing excavation of land by the said company to prevent any untoward incident. It is also learnt that the problem is more than meeting the eye, therefore it would be for the best interest of every concerned that all the stakeholders need to be taken into confidence especially the village Durbar and authorities to settle the matter once and for all”, the VPP president added.
