HANM seeks PWD minister intervention

By a Reporter

SHILLONG, Sept 20: The Hynniewtrep Achik tiol Movement (HANM), central body on Tuesday sought the intervention of the PWD (Roads) minister, Martin M. Danggo to repair the deplorable roads in certain rural areas in the state. “We have discussed about the frequent accidents that take place along the Rangthong-Nongh-Kalong stretch,” HANM president Lamphrang Kharbani told reporters after meeting the Minister. Observing that there were several instances in which the vehicles would fall into gorges, he said even on Monday a minibus travelling from Mawkyrwat to Nongh village fell into a gorge. He said that these roads which were first constructed by the Assam Government but has not been repaired till date resulting in many accident cases and tragic incidents.

“As per our findings, these roads have been totally ignored and there is neither proper black topping nor widening done here,” he said.

Danggo also said that the HANM has also demanded the black topping of the road from Phlangdiloin- Wahkaji - Nongtynger – Nongummer whose construction was done right from the time of Humphrey Nongrum, the first, MLA of Langrin Constituency, but till date no black topping of this road was done.

“We urged the MLA of the constituency who is also the Minister in-charge PWD to look into the matter and do the needful at the earliest possible to ease the hardships of the people of the area,” he said.

Danggo said that they have also apprised the minister to do the follow up of the construction work of the road from Lailad (BorSora) to Nongjri - Nonghyllam upto Kulang.

He also informed that they have received complaints from the people of these villages that the contractor who was entrusted to construct these roads did not complete the work properly but was fully paid for the construction.

“We demanded the minister to look into the matter and to ensure that action is taken against the contractor,” he said adding that they have also demanded the improvement including black topping of the PWD road from Umpung to Mawpud village.

He also said that the HANM has also demanded construction of black topped road from Phlangdiloin , Phlangmawprah , Nongmluh , Nongmalang village.

Meanwhile, after the discussions with the pressure group, the Minister reportedly informed them that he is a man of actions and not of promises/assurances.