NOC to road project: KHADC forms panel

FROM A REPORTER

SHILLONG, June 20: In reply to a question raised by HSPDP MDC from Mylliem constituency TS Thangkhiew during the question hour regarding issuing of no objection certificate (NOC) to the two-lane road project from Wahkaji to Mawthabah by KHADC, Executive Member (EM) in-charge of Land & Market, Hadrian Lyngdoh said that the Executive Committee (EC) has constituted a panel to examine the matter before taking any decision.

“The District Council is yet to issue NOC to the road project since there are two groups - one which supports the project and another group which has opposed it. So the council will first have to examine the mater,” Lyngdoh said.

He said the people supporting the road project include the residents of the region, headmen and NGOs and the one who are opposing the project are a few NGOs.

When asked by Thangkhiew if any public hearing had been organized in the region to take the opinion of the people on the road project, he said, “Till date we have not organized any public hearing since we are still waiting for the presentations from various NGOs on the issue.”

Informing that the committee had also conducted a spot inspection, he said, “During the inspection many people wanted to know if the road is aimed at uranium mining or development.  So we have also sought clarification in this regard from the Ministry of Road & Transport but till date we have not received any reply.”

He further said that on inspecting the region the committee found that the roads are in really bad condition. He informed that all the findings of the committee will soon be taken up by the Executive Committee for discussion.

Thangkhiew pointed out that the reason she raised the issue in the house is because of fear that the people of that region might lose the project meant for development of the region.

She also questioned if there is any way for the KHADC to divert the road project from a different route and thus issuing the NOC.

In reply to the question, KHADC CEM PN Syiem said, “We will try what we can to do that but this decision really depends on the Union Ministry of Road and Transport who sanctioned the project.”

 “If the road needs to be diverted to a different route there is a need to first having an understanding with the Ministry Road and Transport.”

Top Headlines

No stories found.
Sentinel Assam
www.sentinelassam.com