Shillong: The GSU Central Executive Committee wants three South Garo Hills MLAs to band together. They need to force Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to fix the failing National Highway-217. GSU president Zikku Balgra N. Marak called on Rongara-Siju MLA Rakkam A Sangma, Chokpot MLA Sengchim N Sangma, and Baghmara MLA Kartush R Marak to quit playing politics. The road is a wreck.
Commuters on the Baghmara-Karongre stretch suffer daily. Patients struggle to reach Baghmara Civil Hospital. Students miss classes and exams. Farmers cannot get produce to market. High transport costs drive up prices for everyone. Residents in Tojanang and Dompai even started fixing the road themselves out of pure frustration. The union noted that despite years of protests and memorandums, nothing changed. Delays in land acquisition compensation and a stalled tendering process block progress. The project faces total uncertainty regarding a potential handover to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited.
The union wants a joint delegation to meet the Chief Minister and demand action from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. They want fast land acquisition and construction. They also demand accountability for long-term work. The GSU said, "South Garo Hills as one of the oldest districts but among the most neglected in road connectivity." They want durable, all-weather roads built to withstand heavy rains. The group also requested immediate patching of the Baghmara-Karongre and Baghmara-Dangsa Awe stretches before winter sets in.
Comments