Williamnagar, October 24: The Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma laid the foundation stone for the construction of the 54 km long Rongjeng-Mangsang-Adokgre (RMA) Road including metalling and black-topping of intermediate lane under Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) in the presence of School Education and Literacy Minister Deborah C. Marak, Parliamentary Secretaries Cherak W. Momin and Sengnam Marak, MDC of Rambrai-Jyrngam K.S Marbaniang and East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Kumar at Mangsang on Tuesday.
Addressing the huge gathering on the occasion, Dr. Sangma congratulated the people of the area and the neighbouring West Khasi Hills for getting this Rs.210 crore road project, adding that when this road is completed the people coming from outside region are expected to travel via Mangsang to Williamnagar and other parts of East Garo Hills. He implored upon the people on the need to provide land for construction of roads, urging upon them to preserve the age-old tradition of our forefathers who always set aside land for roads, catchment areas, etc.This project is one of the largest in the entire Garo Hills, he added.
The Chief Minister also took pride in stating that roads maintained by the State Highways are much better than the National Highways. He informed that there would be feeder roads in this Rongjeng-Mangsang-Adokgre Road connecting the nearby villages in Khasi Hills and expressed hope that this road would strengthen the bond of relationship between the Garos and Khasis living in the area.
Dwelling on the number of developmental projects coming up in the state particularly in the education sector, the Chief Minister informed that the work for the first Engineering College in the State has already started at Mawlai, while the Vice Chancellor for the first State University has been appointed and classes would start from next year. “Let our children get the opportunity to study in their own state and this should be our common agenda” he said and urged upon the people to cooperate with the government so as to witness the better days ahead.
He also informed that he is likely to inaugurate Rongjeng Administrative Unit before November 15, next. School Education & Literacy Minister Deborah.C Marak in her address stressed on the importance of roads and lauded the efforts of the Chief Minister in fulfilling the demands of the people of the area to construct the RMA road.
Parliamentary Secretary in-charge PWD (Roads) Cherak W. Momin said that the Rongjeng-Mangsang-Adokgre Road project linking two constituencies namely Rongjeng and Kharkutta and NH37 is one of the largest for which the Chief Minister has given special attention and expressed gratitude on behalf of the people of the area. “Our cooperation with the government will bring more development to the region in particular and the state as a whole”, he added.
Also speaking on the occasion, local MLA Sengnam Marak said that for more than 20 years people of Rongjeng, Mangsang and Adokgre area have been demanding construction of this road and fortunately due to the ceaseless efforts of the present government under the leadership of Dr. Mukul Sangma the long felt need of the people is being fulfilled.
He expressed his deep sense of appreciation to the Chief Minister for his efforts to bring visible development in the area like the Administrative Unit at Rongjeng. “The RMA road project is the greatest gift of the Chief Minister to the people of the area” he said. Chief Engineer, PWD (Roads) L.D. Suchiang and E.E PWD (Roads) Williamnagar, Kamal G. Momin were among others who spoke on the occasion.
