Shillong, June 17: Amid growing public outcry over traffic snarls along the Umshyrpi Bridge–Upper Shillong stretch, the Synjuk Nongsynshar Shnong Upper Shillong (SNSUP), along with key government officials, conducted a joint inspection on Tuesday to assess issues arising from the ongoing construction of the Four-Lane Shillong–Dawki National Highway.

During the inspection taken from Umshyrpi Bridge till 3rd Mile in Upper Shillong, the SNSUP and the government officials has expressed dissatisfaction over the sluggish pace and poor quality of work of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) who undertaking this four-lane widening project.

Initiated at the request of the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills, the inspection team included officials from the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, the Office of the Block Development Officer (Mylliem C&RD Block), the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and the traffic police.

Tosanbha Marweiñ, the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Mylliem C&RD Block who led the inspection, said the visit started at morning from Umshyrpi Bridge and proceeded to Lummawbah then to 101 area, concluding at the 3rd Mile Upper Shillong.

Notably, this is peak traffic time, and the stretch before Umshyrpi Bridge has turned into a choke point, causing major traffic disruptions.

“We identified several critical issues, especially traffic congestion due to the roadwork, which is causing serious delays for commuters heading to Shillong,” said Marweiñ. “NHIDCL has assured us that they will take up measures at two key choke points creating the worst congestion”, said the BDO.

He added that full cooperation will be extended from the Block Office, PHE and local Dorbar shnongs to assist NHIDCL in addressing these issues so that the goals of the road project can finally be realised.

Daniel M. Thangkhiew, Advisor of the SNSUP, expressed serious dissatisfaction with the project’s slow pace and the hardships it has caused, he stated, “we expressed our disappointment to NHIDCL, especially about the slow progress at Umshyrpi. But we also heard their difficulties. As a Synjuk, we offered all help from the people of this area. This road affects not just Upper Shillong but travelers from West Khasi Hills, Sohra, Pynursla, and even Garo Hills. What’s most painful is how people transporting patients in private vehicles are stuck for hours…this is unacceptable.”

Thangkhiew added that NHIDCL has assured to complete pending work from 3rd Mile to Umshyrpi within two weeks.

It maybe mentioned, movement of all types of vehicles has been restricted through the Umshyrpi Bridge in Shillong June 12 till June 18.

In view of this, Thangkhiew said that the Synjuk Nongsynshar Shnong Upper Shillong welcomed the planned night closure of the road to accelerate progress and pledged community support, including volunteers to monitor compliance and prevent theft of materials, which NHIDCL had earlier raised concerns about, added Thangkhiew.

Prior the inspection the SNSUP has submitted a complaint letter to the NHDICL, expressing concern over the alarming delay and substandard work on the project that began in October 2023.

The Synjuk noted that stretches of the road remain dug up and unpaved, making travel hazardous, while the quality of guard walls and other construction has been deemed unsafe for public use.

In its letter, the SNSUP urged NHIDCL to engage competent local contractors to handle specific portions of the work like road widening and filling to expedite progress and ensure better quality.

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