11/09/2025
To,
The Managing Director,
National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) Tura
Subject: Complaint regarding unplanned, exploitative, and unjust highway expansion work along Rongram-Goeragre-Chitoktak road
Respected Sir/Madam,
On behalf of the affected villagers and landowners, our NGO wishes to register a strong complaint against NHIDCL regarding the highway expansion project along Rongram-Goeragre-Chitoktak. While infrastructure development is welcomed, the manner in which this project has been carried out has led to injustice, harassment, and suffering for the people of the region.
Our major grievances are as follows:
1. Unjust Land Acquisition and Compensation
Landowners were given extremely low compensation, far below market value, while many have not been paid at all.
Contractors exceeded the measured boundaries and dug out land illegally, worsening the plight of families who already sacrificed their land.
2. Bullying and Violation of People's Rights
Contractors and workers are bullying villagers, showing total disrespect for their rights.
Landowners are barred from monitoring their own land during construction, and police are called to intimidate them.
NHIDCL representatives have allegedly threatened to abandon the project if the Government intervenes in favour of people's rights.
This raises serious questions: Is NHIDCL a foreign entity or an Indian institution? Is Garo Hills not part of India? Why then are the people of this region being exploited in their own country?
3. Unplanned and Shoddy Construction
Even after roads were pitched, they were dug up again, causing severe inconvenience.
Works were left incomplete and new stretches were dug elsewhere, blocking roads for hours and forcing school children, employees, and even patients to suffer unnecessary delays.
4. Failure of Retaining Walls and Landslides
Retaining walls were either not built or constructed poorly.
Already, landslides have occurred along Duragre, Chasingre, Rongkhon, and Chitoktak after minor rainfall. In some places, incomplete retaining walls collapsed within days of construction.
5. Drainage and Infrastructure Failures
No proper drainage has been planned, leading to flooding and erosion.
Culverts and barricades are substandard or absent, posing major safety risks to commuters.
6. Use of Government Machinery and Exploitation of Public Trust
NHIDCL contractors are freely using Government tools and machinery while treating local people with disdain.
The public gave their land in good faith for the benefit of development, but in return, they have been harassed, exploited, and their rights have been disregarded.
7. Unpaid Compensation and Legal Disputes
Many affected families are yet to receive compensation, forcing some to approach courts.
It is a sorry state that citizens who contributed their land for public good are now suffering financially and emotionally.
8. Environmental and Social Damage
Reckless digging has damaged farmland, caused soil erosion, and polluted nearby villages with dust and debris.
No rehabilitation, resettlement, or environmental safeguards have been implemented despite the ecological fragility of the Garo Hills.
Our Demands:
Immediate and fair compensation to all landowners.
Urgent review of shoddy construction and rectification of faulty works.
Strict accountability on contractors for harassment and threats.
Proper retaining walls, drainage systems, culverts, and safety barricades.
Recognition of landowners as stakeholders, not as obstacles, in development projects.
Respect for the rights and dignity of the people of Garo Hills.
Conclusion:
We reiterate that the people of Garo Hills are not against development. However, development should not come at the cost of exploitation, humiliation, and unsafe infrastructure. NHIDCL must act responsibly, respect people's rights, and ensure that this project benefits rather than harms the public.
Yours faithfully,
Bernita Marak
General Secretary
ASPF, Hq. Tura
Copy To :
1. The Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), Government of India – NHIDCL works under MoRTH, so this is the top authority.
2. The Chief Vigilance Officer, NHIDCL – For accountability and investigation into corruption, harassment, and misuse of government machinery.
3. The Chief Minister, Meghalaya – To bring state-level attention to the grievances of Garo Hills people.
4. The Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills District – Local administrative authority who must ensure fair compensation, law and order, and protection of rights.
5. The Chairman, Meghalaya State Human Rights Commission – Since rights violations, intimidation, and harassment are mentioned.
6. The Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Tura Constituency – To ensure political representation of the people’s grievances.
