Tura, Sep 28: In a major revelation on the NH-217 Dainadubi-Darugiri road project, the ASONG Central Executive Council, HQ Tura has filed a formal complaint alleging large-scale unauthorized hill cutting and illegal removal and transportation of boulders under the Bharatmala/NHIDCL framework.
In its complaint submitted to the Deputy Commissioners of East Garo Hills and North Garo Hills, ASONG stated that during field observation, massive excavation was found at several locations along the highway with huge quantities of boulders and rock being loaded and transported.
ASONG has alleged that the excavation may be beyond the sanctioned alignment, DPR, ROW and approved drawings, and that the excavated minor minerals are not being properly accounted for, causing loss of government royalty.
The organization has submitted photographs and satellite imagery as evidence and sought immediate joint physical verification by the District Administration, NHIDCL, and Mining & Geology Department.
In a 13-point charter of demands, ASONG has specifically sought:
Verification of actual excavation against DPR, alignment and ROW; recording of exact chainage and GPS coordinates; measurement of quantity of boulders removed; checking of source, destination and accounting of materials; verification of mining permissions, environmental clearances and royalty challans; scrutiny of DPR, BOQ and measurement books; and action against deviation from approved alignment.
ASONG has further demanded immediate stoppage of unauthorized excavation and transportation pending verification, fixing of responsibility on the contractor/company, recovery of government revenue, seizure of materials and vehicles, and criminal prosecution if violations are established.
The complaint has been filed in the interest of protection of public resources, prevention of revenue loss, environmental protection and transparency in the national highway project.
The organization has urged both Deputy Commissioners to treat the matter as urgent and conduct verification at the earliest at the locations indicated.
NHIDCL officials were not available for comment till filing of this report.
