Mukul slams illegal stone mining, infrastructure neglect in Songsak

From Our Correspondent

TURA, May 27: Leader of the Opposition and Songsak MLA Mukul Sangma on Monday inspected the de-teriorating road connecting Songsak to Mendipathar, including a weak bridge at Songkama Rongdal, which has been damaged by over-loaded heavy trucks.

Accompanied by district officials, Sangma expressed concern over the unsafe bridge, which is restricted to vehicles under 9 tonne. During the inspection, he stopped a heavy truck vio-lating the limit and directed Assistant Commissioner K Shullai to take strict ac-tion against the driver and operators endangering the structure. He further called for the immediate repair of the route.

The Opposition leader also raised alarms over NH-127B road widening works being executed by the National Highways and Infrastructure Develop-ment Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). He alleged that excavation was being car-ried out beyond permissible limits and that stone was being illegally extracted and transported through Dobedare road.

While a stone crusher on-site was non-operational during the visit, local work-ers reportedly admitted that extraction and transporta-tion continue throughout the week, except on Sundays and market days. Sangma directed officials to halt all illegal activities and initiate stringent action against those involved.

Additionally, Sangma inspected the PMGSY road connecting Songsak to Barikgre, where he uncov-ered a discrepancy between official records and ground reality.

Despite the department submitting a completion report, the MLA found portions of the work still pending.

Contractors present at the site allegedly admitted the project was incom-plete.

Sangma further observed that sections of the road had already suffered damage within a month of construc-tion.

He urged the depart-ment to ensure the timely completion of drainage and remaining works while addressing the mismatch between physical progress and reported data.