BJP seeks probe into recurring landslides along Shillong-Dawki road project
Shillong, June 22
Meghalaya's ruling alliance partner BJP has sought a detailed inquiry into the recurring landslides and disruption of road connectivity along the under-construction Shillong-Dawki road project, raising concerns over the safety and long-term sustainability of the key infrastructure corridor.
Addressing reporters in Shillong on Monday, Meghalaya BJP spokesperson Mariahom Kharkrang said the massive landslide reported on the highway on Sunday was not an isolated incident and pointed out that similar occurrences had been reported earlier along different stretches of the project.
Expressing concern over the repeated slope failures, Kharkrang stressed the need for a comprehensive investigation to identify the factors responsible for the landslides and recommend measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
"The inquiry must be instituted to find out the reasons leading to these incidents. Based on the findings, corrective measures should be taken to prevent such occurrences in the future," he said.
Kharkrang noted that recurring landslides have not only disrupted road connectivity but have also raised questions regarding slope stability and the overall execution of the project.
He said the safety of commuters and workers associated with the project should remain the foremost priority for the authorities.
According to the BJP leader, the findings of the inquiry would help determine whether the incidents were caused by geological factors, construction-related issues, inadequate slope protection measures or other technical shortcomings.
He further urged the agencies involved in the project to take all necessary precautions and adopt scientific mitigation measures to minimise the risk of future landslides, particularly during the monsoon season, when such incidents become more frequent.
The Shillong-Dawki road project is considered one of Meghalaya's most important infrastructure initiatives, aimed at improving connectivity between the state capital Shillong and Dawki, a major trade and tourism hub near the India-Bangladesh border.
However, recurring landslides along the project corridor have sparked concerns among residents and commuters, prompting calls for a closer examination of the project's safety and engineering standards.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I'm from Meghalaya and I travel on this road often. The landslides are scary, especially during monsoons. It feels like every time they fix one spot, another stretch gives way. I appreciate the BJP spokesperson raising this—it’s not a political issue, it’s a life safety issue. But I hope the inquiry includes local geologists and environmental experts, not just politicians. We need durable solutions, not quick repairs.
As someone who works in civil engineering, slope failures in such terrain are often due to inadequate drainage and lack of retaining walls. The Shillong-Dawki project is crucial for trade with Bangladesh, but cutting into hills without proper geotechnical studies is asking for trouble. BJP’s demand for a probe is reasonable, but I hope the agencies learn from this—it’s a classic case of 'build fast, ignore geology, pay later'.
Honestly, this is a classic Indian infrastructure saga—big announcements, rushed construction, and then nature hits back. 😅 The Shillong-Dawki road is vital for tourism and border trade, but if the slope protection measures are inadequate, we'll keep seeing these news cycles every monsoon. BJP is right to demand answers, but I wish they had raised this sooner, before the project started. Accountability is good, but prevention is better.
It's reassuring to see a political party prioritize safety over politics. But I'm skeptical—these inquiries often end up as blame games between contractors and state agencies. The real victims are the daily commuters and the local economy. If the BJP really wants to help, they should push for geo-textiles and bio-engineering solutions (like planting deep-rooted local vegetation) on the slopes. We need innovation, not just reports.
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