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SHILLONG : Leader of the Opposition and Songsak MLA Mukul Sangma raised serious concerns over deteriorating road infrastructure, alleged illegal stone extraction and incomplete government projects during an inspection across parts of East Garo Hills.
Accompanied by district officials, Sangma inspected the damaged road connecting Songsak to Mendipathar, on Monday , including the weak bridge at Songkama Rongdal, which he said has been severely affected by the movement of overloaded heavy vehicles.
During the visit, the former Chief Minister reportedly stopped a truck that was allegedly crossing the bridge despite restrictions limiting vehicle load capacity to below 9 tonne. Expressing concern over the safety of the structure, Sangma directed Assistant Commissioner K Shullai to take strict action against drivers and operators violating the prescribed limit and endangering the bridge.
He also urged the authorities to immediately repair the damaged route, warning that continued negligence could worsen connectivity problems in the area. The Opposition leader further inspected ongoing road widening works under NH-127B being executed by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
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In his inspection, Sangma alleged that excavation activities were being carried out beyond permissible limits and claimed that stones were being extracted illegally from the area and transported through the Dobedare road. Although a stone crusher located at the site remained non-operational during the visit, local workers reportedly informed the MLA that extraction and transportation activities continue regularly throughout the week except on Sundays and market days.
Sangma directed officials to stop all alleged illegal activities and initiate stringent action against those involved. The inspection also covered the PMGSY road connecting Songsak to Barikgre, where Sangma claimed there was a major mismatch between official completion records and the actual condition of the project on the ground.
According to the Opposition leader, despite the department reportedly submitting a completion report, portions of the road work were still unfinished.Contractors present during the inspection allegedly admitted that the project had not yet been fully completed.
Sangma further observed that certain stretches of the road had already developed signs of damage within a month of construction, raising concerns over the quality and durability of the work executed.
He urged the concerned department to complete the remaining drainage and pending construction work without delay while also addressing discrepancies between reported project progress and physical reality at the site.
The inspection comes amid growing concerns in several parts of Meghalaya over road quality, infrastructure monitoring and implementation standards in publicly funded projects.
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