Shillong, April 27: Concerned by the continued loss of human life due to the ongoing widening and construction of the road from Laitlyngkot to Pynursla and Dawki, a local public representative has decided to flag the issue with the Central government.
Lyngkyrdem-Laitkroh MDC, Shemborlang Rynjah has written to the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari highlighting the untold public suffering due to the road project.
He stated that since 2003 till date, at least ten lives have been lost along the stretch from Laitlyngkot to Pynursla due to landsides and other related hazards. He said that the road stretch was unsafe for travellers and commuters due to frequent landslides arising out out of continuous hill cutting and unstable slopes.
Rynjah said that the situation has badly affected tourism in the region since the road connects to popular destinations such as Mawlynnong, Shnongpdeng and Dawki. He said that local people depending on tourism as a means of livelihood have been severely impacted.
Mentioning that the prolonged delay to complete the road project has caused immense hardship to the people especially during emergency, the MDC also urged Gadkari to intervene on the matter.
Rynjah called for a comprehensive, independent safety audit of the entire road stretch, installation of crash barriers, proper signage and lighting. He also demanded for temporary halt to high risk construction activities particularly during adverse weather condition.
