By: Shri. O.R. Shallam, Panaliar, Jowai
The deteriorating condition of National Highway 6 (NH-6) has become an everyday nightmare for the citizens and commuters of the Jaintia Hills region. What was once a route of convenience has now turned into a stretch of chaos and despair. The right of every citizen to good roads and ease of travel is being blatantly denied — and it is both disheartening and infuriating to see the authorities remain indifferent.
The stretch between Jowai and Khliehriat, covering a mere 32 kilometers of which a car should be travelling for at least 40-50 minutes at average speed now takes almost two hours to traverse. Daily traffic jams, constant snarls and unbearable dust clouds have made travel not just inconvenient but exhausting and hazardous to health. The ongoing repair and construction works are progressing at a painfully slow pace, showing a complete lack of coordination and accountability.
I would like to laud the efforts of Shri. Kerlang Ksoo, a renowned columnist from East Jaintia Hills, for his bold and well-deserved criticism of the Highways Authority and the Government. His words echo the frustration of thousands who face these ordeals daily. It is high time the concerned departments take his criticism not as an attack, but as a much needed wake-up call. The current state of affairs reflects nothing short of irresponsibility and neglect by those in authority.
On a more positive note, I wish to appreciate the commendable work of the PWD in maintaining and repairing internal roads within Jowai town. The timely repair work undertaken a couple of months before the Christmas season was praiseworthy and brought much relief to local commuters. It clearly shows that when there is intent and effort, results can be achieved efficiently.
However, it would be highly desirable if such proactive efforts could be extended to coincide with our annual state festival – Ka Behdienkhlam. The festival is not just a local celebration but a symbol of unity and cultural pride. Ensuring that the roads are well-repaired and maintained within a stipulated time frame before this grand event would reflect true respect and responsibility toward the citizens and visitors alike.
Therefore, I urge our local MLA and the concerned departments to make it a point that road repair and maintenance works in Jowai are carried out at least two months before Behdienkhlam, just as they are before Christmas. Let these efforts not be seasonal, but consistent and fair to all occasions that bring our community together. Do one, Do all!
The people of Jaintia Hills deserve better — better roads, better management and better accountability. The current state of NH-6 is not just a sign of neglect; it is a reminder of how far we are from ensuring the basic rights of our citizens. It’s time for the authorities to act, not with words, but with visible progress on the ground.
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