Shillong, Oct 24: The VPP-led Executive Committee (EC) in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has stated that it is ready to issue a no objection certificate (NOC) to any government department willing to undertake repairs on the Wahkaji-Nongtnger to Mawthabah road in West Khasi Hills. However, the EC is not willing to handing over the road to another department, citing concerns that the area is rich in uranium deposits.
While raising the issue in the house on Friday, UDP MDC from Ranikor Pius Marwein has suggested the need for the road to be handed over to the PWD, citing the lack of funds from the council to repair it.
The road, which passes through 11 villages, is in a dilapidated condition, affecting the lives of the people.
He said that 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 that 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 a no objection certificate (NOC) to any department willing to repair the road, but handing over the road is not possible.
“We need to examine properly before deciding to handover council assets to other departments. The EC will discuss before taking a call on the matter. 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. We will find ways and means to repair the road. If any department is willing to repair the road, we are ready to issue no objection certificate but to handover the road to PWD is not possible.”
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. He requested the EC to visit the road to see the plight faced by the people residing along the stretch.
“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. Repairing of the road should not be taken as a mean to pave way for uranium mining. The council has left the road unattended for the past many years. Yes, the area is located in uranium rich sites but we should not misunderstand the intention of repairing the road.”
Kharjahrin replied that he had recently visited the area and understood the problem faced by the people. He 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, as good road is the right of the people of the 11 villages. He added that the EC can write to the government that they are ready to give NOC, not land, for repairing the road.
 in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has stated that it is ready to issue a no objection certificate (NOC) to any government department willing to undertake repairs on the Wahkaji-Nongtnger to Mawthabah road in West Khasi Hills.){kind=link}