Furious Meghalaya Villagers Unite: Halt Overloaded Trucks Threatening West Khasi Hills’ Vital Road

Villagers from Umsohpieng, Myndo, Mawtirang, and Pursohan in West Khasi Hills District, along the Meghalaya-Assam border, have raised concerns over the passage of overloaded trucks on the newly constructed Riangdo-Hahim road. On the night of November 28, they staged a protest urging the state government to intervene.

Residents highlighted that the new road, while a significant development after 19 years, remains incomplete. Stretching from Riangdo to Athiabari, Hahim, and finally Boko, it is being damaged by coal-laden trucks that exceed weight limits, according to locals. Dering Tyrsa, a resident of Umsohpieng, expressed frustrations about the potential for renewed damage, saying, “We finally got a new road, but if this continues, we will suffer again.”

Pynshai Lyngdoh, another local from Umsohpieng, emphasized that they had no issue if trucks adhere to weight regulations. However, several drivers admitted to villagers that they often carry excess loads.

The completion of this road is anticipated to significantly improve connectivity between Assam and Meghalaya, offering relief in medical emergencies by facilitating quicker hospital access in both Boko, Assam, and Nongstoin, Meghalaya. Thus, villagers are reinforcing their plea for strict regulation of truck weights to preserve the road’s condition.

This 37-kilometer project, initiated in 2021, replaces an earlier road that was in a deplorable state. It connects West Khasi Hills in Meghalaya with Kamrup in Assam, providing a link between the Tura-Shillong and Guwahati-Goalpara highways.

Police authorities in Meghalaya assert ongoing monitoring efforts, involving weight bridge checks with the Directorate of Mineral Resources (DMR). They note that while suspicions of overloading persist, many trucks pass these checkpoints under the weight limit.

Villagers are urging authorities to maintain vigilance against overloaded trucks, ensuring the road’s longevity for the benefit of communities across both states.

Original Story https://www.indiatodayne.in/meghalaya/video/meghalaya-villagers-protest-against-overloaded-trucks-on-crucial-road-in-west-khasi-hills-1129215-2024-11-29?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2024-11-29 11:26:00