Tynsong urged to Intervene on dilapidated NH-6

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 18: The Khasi Students Union (KSU) today sought the intervention of the Deputy Chief Minister in charge of PWD (Roads) Prestone Tynong into the dilapidated condition of the National Highway-6.

In a memorandum to Tynsong, KSU-EJHD Unit president Streamly N Suchen said it has been almost six weeks since the officials of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) have assured the Union to start the work in repairing the national highway but the road condition is still in a deplorable state and work is yet to commence.

The potholes, cracks, and uneven surfaces have not only made it hazardous for commuters but have also caused damage to vehicles and led to frequent accidents.

He said as a vital arterial road connecting important states of the northeast region and taking into consideration the economic loss that will occur if not attended to, it is imperative that NH-6 is maintained and upgraded promptly to ensure the safety and convenience of the public.

“In light of these concerns, the union request your intervention in speeding up the work with an update on the actions taken to address the dilapidated condition of NH 6,” Suchen said in the memorandum.

The KSU has also sought information on the details of the planned maintenance activities, including repair schedules, resurfacing plans, and any other relevant measures that are being undertaken to rectify the deteriorating condition of NH 6.

The government is also urged to furnish information regarding the budget allocated to NH 6 and the utilization of those funds for maintenance and improvement purposes. “We as a union are interested in understanding the investment being made to ensure long-term durability and quality of the road,” Suchen said.

He said that the Union would also appreciate if the government could provide a realistic timeline for the completion of the proposed repairs and improvements.

“We would also like to seek clarification on the quality assurance measures being implemented to ensure that the repairs and improvements made to NH 6 are of the highest standards, providing a sustainable and long-lasting solution,” he said while adding that the significance of NH 6 in facilitating smooth transportation and boosting economic activities in the region will be affected if no action is taken.

Meanwhile, the KSU-EJHDU also asked the government to consider the urgent need for a traffic branch in East Jaintia Hills district.

Suchen said while numerous initiatives have been undertaken to address the growing challenges related to traffic management across various districts, the lack of a dedicated Traffic Branch in East Jaintia Hills District has led to significant issues and concerns for the residents.

He said the rapid growth in population and economic activities in the district has led to an exponential increase in vehicular traffic. The absence of appropriate traffic management mechanisms has caused severe congestion on major roads, thereby hampering the smooth flow of both vehicular and pedestrian movement.

“A dedicated Traffic Branch would enhance road safety measures by conducting regular patrols, implementing road safety campaigns, and issuing fines for violations,” he further asserted.

Meghalaya HC directs Govt, NHAI to address problems on NH-6

Staff Reporter

Shillong, July 19: The Meghalaya High Court today directed the State and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to file further reports with regards to the Jowai to Ratacherra stretch of the National Highway-6 within four weeks.

“Both the State and the NHAI will file further reports when the matter appears next four weeks hence,” the Division Bench said in its order after hearing a PIL filed by Kynjaimon Amse.

It also directed the State to convene a meeting with the representatives of the NHAI and the local administration to address the particular problems pertaining to the Jowai -Ratacherra stretch of NH-6.

The petitioner had pointed out that the report filed by the NHAI indicates certain man-made problems which ought to be addressed by the State.

For instance, car wash outlets have sprung up along the State and national highways in the State without any drainage system or any parameters apparently being put in place in such regard. As a result, the water from such car wash places run down the highways or form puddles at places causing additional damage than what the monsoon rains may cause.

The NHAI in its report also indicated that the haphazard laying of pipelines along the side of the Jowai to Ratacherra stretch has resulted in leaks in several places which add to the woes of accumulated water and erosion of the blacktop.

These and several of the other issues raised in the NHAI report must be addressed by the local administration and some parameters put in place for car wash units to adhere to, including payment of license fees or the like.

Regarding the Jowai bypass, the Bench has directed that the repair works be completed within this month.

“It is hoped that the balance repair work is completed within this month and extra care is taken to undertake patchwork, wherever necessary, for the remainder of the monsoon season to ensure that the colossal waste of vehicles needing to travel the extra 30 km or so by avoiding the bypass is no longer necessary,” it said.

It said that the real problem pertains to a 7-km stretch which is virtually unmotorable at the moment and is known as the Jowai Bypass that links Thadlaskein to Mihmyntdu and vehicles intending to go to the Khliehriat side without stopping at Jowai take such bypass to avoid the urban congestion in Jowai.

Though the rest of NH -6 is maintained by the NHAI, the roughly 7-km stretch of the Jowai Bypass is maintained by PWD (Roads) and such stretch is in a pitiable condition and the state of the road is such that heavy vehicles suffer serious breakdowns and lesser vehicles these days take the longer route through Jowai than hazard the risk of taking the bypass.

Earlier, the State had submitted that the heavy rains in the month of June, 2023 did not allow the repair work that had been undertaken prior thereto to settle down and washed away the blacktop.

According to the State, the same contractor is undertaking the repair work and the same should be completed within a reasonable time.

The Bench however said that almost half the monsoon season is over and during such period the bypass has well-nigh remained unmotorable.

As indicated earlier, road construction or repair works have to take into account the heavy rains here in the monsoon and it will not pass an excuse to suggest that because of the monsoon or a few spells of heavy rain, the road has been damaged to the extent that it has been, it added.