SHILLONG, MAY 15: Leader of Opposition and Songsak MLA Dr. Mukul Sangma has written to East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner R.P. Marak flagging alleged illegalities and environmental damage by the contractor engaged for the widening of the Darugre-Songsak-Williamnagar section of NH-127B, and sought immediate action.
In a letter, Dr. Sangma said the NHIDCL has taken up widening of the 36.635 km Darugre-Songsak-Williamnagar stretch of NH-127B. He alleged that the contractor “has deviated from the scope of work permissible under the original DPR and resorted to illegal, unscientific extraction of stones/boulders from the under-surface of the land along the alignment of road.”
“That the illegal extraction of stones/boulders is not accidental, but is found to be pre-determined and intentional which violates the provision of MMDR Act 1957,” the letter stated.
Dr. Sangma further alleged that the contractor was “engaging in rampant and careless dumping of the debris and huge quantity of extra-earth with serious negative impact on the environment.” He also flagged damage to local infrastructure due to overloading.
“Plying of over loaded trucks/dumpers damaging Songsak-Mendi road which has weak timber bridge where permissible load is only 9 metric tone which is continuing in absence of any enforcement by the authorities,” he wrote.
Terming the matter urgent, he said, “The instant case require immediate action as per law to prevent continuation of illegalities,” and added, “This above facts require immediate action as per law. Take immediate necessary action and the undersigned be informed of the action taken thereof.” In a separate communication to the DC as Chairman of the District Road Safety Committee, Dr. Sangma raised road safety concerns linked to the same project.
“As you are aware, the NHIDCL has taken up work for widening of Darugre-Songsak-Williamnagar portion of NH-127B and the work is in progress. It is found that the contractor is not conforming to maintenance of the riding surface which is causing road blockade and compromising the road-safety protocols,” he said.
He urged the DC to “take necessary action as per the Chairman of The District Road Safety Committee in the instant of the public and the safety of the traveller in particular.”
