Nongpoh, November 13: Expressing concern over the plight of commuters who have been facing difficulties for more than a decade due to the failure to repair the old road connecting Umtrew to Umsning and further linking to the Umsning Bypass Road, the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Umsning Circle, has submitted a memorandum to the Executive Engineer (EE) of the PWD Umsning Division, demanding immediate repair of the road.
Led by its president, Lester Nongbet, and general secretary, Laraplang Nongbri, along with other members of the Umsning Circle, the delegation visited the PWD Umsning Division office on Thursday. Although they could not meet the Executive Engineer, they met the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), Pynwandur Damblong, and submitted the memorandum, urging the department to take immediate steps to repair the road.
Speaking to the media, Lester Nongbet said the road had been neglected for nearly 10 years without proper repairs. He informed that the stretch from Lad Umtrew to Umsning, extending towards Nongthymmai, is approximately 4.20 km long.
He said the government’s continued neglect and the practice of merely dumping soil and stones on the road instead of carrying out proper repairs had caused immense hardship to commuters, as the road had deteriorated severely.
Nevertheless, expressing concern over the safety of commuters, particularly patients and schoolchildren, due to the poor condition of the road, the union has given the PWD Department a 30-day deadline to undertake immediate repairs.
Nongbet warned that if the department fails to act within the stipulated period, the union would be compelled to resort to stronger forms of agitation.
