SHILLONG:
Deputy Chief Minister in charge of PWD (Roads) Prestone Tynsong on Thursday said that damages to road and bridge infrastructure are huge due to heavy rainfall throughout the state.
Speaking to reporters, Tynsong informed that the actual cost of the damage in the entire state is yet to be known.
“There is a procedure where the PWD will prepare the estimates in order to restore the roads. The DC will then assess and send the same to the revenue department through the SDRF for sending to the NDRF to release the fund,” he said.
Tynsong also informed that he will convene a meeting with the officials of his department tomorrow on the matter and said there is a need for the department to be proactive to ensure connectivity is not disrupted.
Asked about the Mawlai bypass, the deputy chief minister said that the bridge is perfect but the superstructure has been affected due to heavy rainfall.
“Therefore, I have given instruction to the chief engineer and the engineers to do the needful (for repairing the bridge),” he said while adding that if it is raining, repairing may take up to one week’s time.
Stating that the damage caused was purely due to natural calamity, Tynsong said, “You know the worst enemy of roads is water. That is why this is due to the natural calamity which we never expected.”
“I have asked them (PWD) to prepare the estimates,” he said. According to him, the department is proposing to improve the bypass as the road from Mawroh is also nearing completion.
He further maintained that the question is not about instituting an inquiry but the question is to immediately taking corrective measures.