Villagers urge Govt not to abandon four-laning of NH via Mawryngkneng

Shillong, Oct 16: Over 32 villagers of Puriang village in East Khasi Hills District have sought the intervention of the deputy commissioner into the alleged move to abandon the construction of the four laning of National Highway from Mawryngkneng-Puriang villages.

According to them, construction of the four lane from the new alternative road bypassing the existing road will no doubt affect the livelihood and economic activities of the people living along this stretch of the national highway.

In a letter submitted to the DC RM Kurbah on October 3, the aggrieved villagers said that many of them, who are living in the Mawryngkneng-Puriang village have parted portion of their land in 2007, wilfully to the government for the purpose of construction of four laning of the National Highway 44 and also, they were compensated for the land as valued by the government.

“That now it has been learnt that the government will abandon the said 4 laning of the existing road which the government has acquired and paid for in 2007-2009 and instead realigned and make an alternative new road bypassing the existing road and if such new road is constructed it will bring immense economic hardship and adversely affect the livelihood of the people of the village and many of us who has depended on this road for our income will be left jobless and there will be an economic breakdown of the people of the village,” they said.

The aggrieved villagers and residents also stated, “That after the expectation in 2007-09 of the expansion of the 4 laning of the existing road from Mawrynkneng-Puriang, many of us villagers have set up different businesses like petrol pumps, line hotels, tyre shops, tea stalls, vegetable shops and other commercial establishments and many unemployed villagers have got their job from the said commercial establishment along the said road and we are in the hope that there will be economic development in the said village.”

Further, the letter stated that the government would unnecessarily waste public money if it decides to go ahead with the construction of the four-lane project from the new road.

“…if the government abandon the 4 laning of the existing road which the government has acquired and paid for, the government unnecessary waste 10X times public money, by making the new road which will necessitate the cutting of lot of trees, flattening hills and farmlands which will cause huge damage to the environment and eco-system of the said area.”

Urging the DC to intervene into the matter, the villagers said, “It is most humbly prayed that our good self shall look into the aforesaid matter very deeply and give it a fair assessment so that the livelihood of many of the villagers who has depended on the existing road for their livelihood for time immemorial shall not be affected and more ever, it is further prayed that the 4 laning of the present existing road may kindly not be abandon considering the above noted facts and circumstances and also let it be considered on humanitarian grounds considering the life of the village people…”

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