Village Women Repair PWD Road in West Khasi Hills, Shillong

A REPORTER

SHILLONG: A group of women under the aegis of ‘Iamynjurlang Village Organisation’ has undertaken the onerous social task of repairing the PWD road from Jakhong to Umpongdeng. The stretch was left unattended for several years. The road repair mission began on July 6.

The plan to build the stretch from Mawkarah to Jakhong was undertaken 2002 but till date the PWD road still remains a ‘kutcha’ one. Vehicles can move on this PWD road which includes some part that falls under PMGSY Scheme, only during winter. But during summer and rainy days, vehicles have to be pulled with chains on this stretch.

Jakhong village was set up more than 50 years ago. Currently, there are approximately 160 households. The village is under Hima Nongkhlaw, Mairang Parliamentary Constituency, Mairang Civil Sub-Division and C&RD Block, West Khasi Hills District.

While interviewing one of the women on this issue, she informed that their village is very much productive and the villagers carry out cultivation of various types of crops. However, due to the poor road network, this area which has lagged behind in various areas of growth and development.

Another woman stated that she wanted to go to deliver her baby in the hospital but since the condition of the road so bad she was scared to travel and so on July 5, she delivered a baby boy all by herself with no one who attended her during her labour pain.

While it speaks volumes about the tenacity of the women who have decided to undertake the road repairing work to make life easier for the society in general; it is a sad commentary on the state of affairs and on the authorities concerned when it comes to public and developmental work in general.

Also Read: Section 144 CrPC in West Khasi Hills, Shillong