Shillong, Nov 27: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) on Friday referred to big potholes along the stretch of a dilapidated road at Shella as “fish ponds” as a mark of protest against the government’s delay to repair the same which has caused lot of inconveniences for the people of the area.

Activists of the HYC Shella Area Unit also displayed a board which read “welcome you all to the opening ceremony of the fish pond at Saikarap-Shella (Sohra-Shella road) managed by: PWD (Roads) Govt of Meghalaya. Sponsored by: creating sustainable potholes mission, Govt of Meghalaya”.Local residents also joined the protest by cutting ribbons in front of the big pothole on the road from Saikarap to Shella.

“The protest is against the delay to repair the road. The potholes at some stretches of the road are even fit to be converted as fish ponds,” HYC general secretary Roy Kupar Synrem said.

He said the protesters have also condemned the Dhar Construction company for the delay to start the repairing work despite a work order having been issued by the PWD department since September 30, 2021.

“We also condemn the PWD (Roads) for the delay,” Synrem said while also urging the Shella MLA to ensure that the work starts at the earliest.

The HYC leader also threatened to intensify agitation if the road is not repaired immediately.