‘Geography can’t be changed; floods happen in plains if drainage not proper’
Shillong, July 29: Meghalaya has countered repeated allegations from Assam holding the hilly state responsible for floods in the plains and rather blamed “infrastructure gap” in checking floods in the neighbouring state.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said poor drainage and planning are key reasons for waterlogging in the plains, and that rainfall patterns are impossible to predict accurately.
“When you are in a lower area, if drainage and infrastructure are not properly designed, then naturally this happens. And no one can say for certain when we will get heavy rain or less rain. It is just not possible for humans to foresee all of this,” he said.
Responding to repeated allegations against Meghalaya, Tynsong said, “This blame on Meghalaya comes up again and again only because we are at a higher elevation and Assam is at a lower level.”
Stating that geography cannot be changed, he said, “You cannot directly blame Meghalaya, just as Meghalaya cannot blame Assam. Ultimately, we are both responsible together.”
Tynsong added that consultants hired by the state and central governments have already been told to incorporate proper drainage and culvert systems in all new projects.
He also cited an upcoming 6-lane ring road around Guwahati as an example of infrastructure that will benefit both states.
“From Sonapur, we will link it to Meghalaya towards Silchar as a speed corridor,” Tynsong said.
Proposal to acquire land along border
Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Minister informed that the state government had proposed to the Centre to acquire all land within 150 yards of the Indo-Bangladesh border to fast-track fencing and protect border residents.
Tynsong, who holds the Home (Police) portfolio, pointed to villages in areas like Pynursla just 50-60 meters from border pillars.
Under existing norms, fencing must be set 150 yards inside Indian territory.
“If we strictly follow the 150-yard rule, entire villages will fall outside the fence. That effectively turns them into no man’s land,” Tynsong said.
“We are not against fencing. We need it. But we cannot leave our people exposed.”
To resolve the deadlock, the state has written to the Ministry of Home Affairs and held discussions with the BSF and NBCC, he added.
Tynsong said Meghalaya has suggested an alternative.
“If the 150 yards cannot be relaxed, then the government of India should outright purchase that stretch of land so villagers and farmers can be relocated safely.”
The proposal, he noted, seeks to balance national security needs with the livelihood and safety of communities living along the border.
Damaged stretch of Shillong-Dawki road to reopen soon
Tynsong, meanwhile, said the damaged stretch of Shillong-Dawki road is expected to be made operational within a week.
The Deputy Chief Minister, in-charge PWD (Roads), said a sub-way is being built at the point where the road was washed away, and the work is now in its final phase.
“The work is going on day and night. I am very sure, hopefully within one week’s time we will be able to make the Shillong-Dawki road operational again,” he said.
He said instructions have been given to NHIDCL and the executing agency to fast track the work.
Hawkers not evicted, just relocated
The Deputy Chief Minister, meanwhile, appealed to hawkers and other stakeholders to support the government’s initiative to relocate street vendors to designated vending zones.
“I request all stakeholders to cooperate with the government,” he said.
Asserting that relocation of street vendors is not an eviction drive, Tynsong said, “We are not throwing anyone out. We are only relocating them to designated places, and relocation assistance will also be provided.”
He added that the government’s priority is to create a more orderly urban space while safeguarding the livelihoods of vendors.
“We want the public to be at ease, both during the day and at night,” he said.
Responding to criticism from certain groups, he clarified the government’s position, saying, “I have noticed some people asking why the government is throwing them out. That is not the case at all. This is about relocation, not eviction.”
