Shillong, Oct 24: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has rejected a suggestion of handing over the Wahkaji-Nongtnger-Mawthabah road in West Khasi Hills to any state government department to conduct repair, citing concerns over rich deposits of uranium in the region.
However, the VPP-led Executive Committee (EC) has expressed its willingness to issue a no objection certificate (NOC) to any government department for conducting repairs on the road.
Raising the issue in the House, UDP MDC from Ranikor Pius Marwein on Friday suggested for handing over the road to PWD since the Council lacks sufficient funds to repair it.
The road passing through 11 villages is in a dilapidated condition, affecting lives of many people in surrounding villages.
He said the people of the 11 villages have requested the KHADC to hand over the road to the PWD, and that it has been included in the list of PMGSY-IV.
However, Executive Member in-charge Council Assets, Pynkhrawboklin Kharjahrin, said the EC is yet to discuss the matter.
He emphasized that the road stays with the Council, and that they will find ways and means to repair it. Kharjahrin added that the Council is ready to issue an NOC to any department willing to repair the road, but handing over the road is not possible.
“We cannot deny that the road from Wahkaji to Mawthabah will lead to places rich in uranium deposit. Therefore, we feel that it is important that the road stays with the Council,” he said.
Marwein countered that the Council has left the road unattended for many years, and that repairing it should not be misunderstood as paving the way for uranium mining.
“Just because it is uranium rich area, it doesn’t mean that the people of the 11 villages do not have the right to access to development,” he said.
Kharjahrin, meanwhile, assured that the new EC will examine the matter properly and take a decision for the benefit of the people.
Laban-Mawprem MDC Ricky Shullai suggested that the EC should take the suggestion of the local MDC and visit the area.
