By: Adv. Kerlang Ksoo, Dkhiah West Village, East Jaintia Hills District
The once-promising National Highway 6, a vital lifeline connecting Meghalaya to the rest of the Northeast, has now turned into a symbol of neglect and administrative apathy. From the stretch beginning at Mawryngkneng in East Khasi Hills District to Ratacherra and Malidor area in the Jaintia Hills region, the road today stands battered, bruised and almost forgotten. Potholes of varying sizes and depths dot every few meters of the highway, left unattended by the responsible Highway Authority, turning what should be a route of convenience into a daily ordeal.
For commuters, pedestrians and travelers alike, NH-6 has become a nightmare. Long traffic snarls and endless jams have become a part of daily life, disrupting not only movement but also the economic activities of thousands who rely on this road for trade, transport and livelihood. What’s even more disheartening is that this has been the case for months, if not years, with little to no visible improvement.
The ongoing construction and repair work along the East Jaintia Hills stretch has dragged on painfully slow. The progress resembles a snail’s pace — machines are few, manpower appears limited and the quality of work being carried out is substandard at best. Within weeks of repair, the road surface deteriorates again, forcing commuters to bear yet another cycle of inconvenience and frustration.
Who then should be held accountable? Is it the contractors who have taken on this project only to execute it with glaring inefficiency and poor workmanship? Or is it the government — the very body entrusted to ensure good infrastructure and the basic right of every citizen to travel safely and comfortably? The state’s silence and inaction speak volumes.
Equally concerning is the apathy of our elected representatives. Jaintia Hills is represented by one Deputy Chief Minister, two Cabinet Ministers, and several MLAs — yet none seem willing to take a firm stand on this issue. Their absence on a matter that affects every single commuter raises a disturbing question: Have we elected leaders to serve the people, or have we handed power to individuals who serve only themselves?
Every citizen deserves safe and functional roads — not as a favor, but as a fundamental right. NH-6 is not merely a stretch of tarmac; it is the artery that sustains life, economy, and mobility in our region. The continued negligence of this highway is not just a reflection of poor governance — it is a betrayal of public trust.
It is time for accountability. It is time for our representatives and the authorities to rise from complacency and act — not tomorrow, not next month, but now. Until then, NH-6 will remain a painful reminder of how easily the voices of the people can be drowned out by the roar of silence from those in power.
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