# Anger in Meghalaya South Garo Hills Over NH-62 Delay as Administration Bans Protests

> Protests have been banned in South Garo Hills after the FKJGP expressed severe discontent over the prolonged delay in constructing the Dalu-Baghmara stretch of National Highway 62.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Meghalaya · **Published:** 2026-10-29 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/meghalaya/meghalaya-ke-south-garo-hills-mein-national-highway-62-ke-nirman-mein-deri-53077 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Meghalaya, South Garo Hills, National Highway 62, road construction, protest, administration, Baghmara

Frustration is mounting in the South Garo Hills of Meghalaya as construction on the Dalu to Baghmara stretch of National Highway 62 (217) remains stalled, prompting the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Garo Hills Zone, to voice sharp discontent while local authorities move to restrict upcoming demonstrations.

## Lifeline Road and Long-Standing Demands

FKJGP President Pritam Arengh stated that no physical work has commenced on the crucial roadway, which serves as the economic lifeline of South Garo Hills and remains vital for local business, commerce, healthcare access, and everyday mobility. According to Arengh, various civil society groups and non-governmental organizations in Baghmara have long pursued the construction of this highway through night blockades, protest rallies, and multiple memoranda submitted to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and the State Public Works Department.

## Escalation Plans and Government Appeal

Arengh noted that none of these prior representations elicited a substantive response from authorities. Citing continued official apathy, local NGOs resolved to launch a fresh agitation starting October 28. The federation strongly urged the Government of Meghalaya, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, NHIDCL, and the PWD to finalize the Detailed Project Report, secure necessary forest and environmental clearances, float tenders on a war footing, and commence physical construction without further delays. Furthermore, the federation appealed for the Chief Minister’s personal intervention, emphasizing that proper road connectivity is a fundamental constitutional right rather than a luxury, making it essential for peace, development, and national security in this remote border district.

## Administration Imposes Prohibitory Orders

In response to the announced agitation, Additional District Magistrate PR Marak issued strict prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The district administration highlighted that NH-62 connects Baghmara with Tura, Shillong, and the remainder of the state, warning that any highway blockade would severely disrupt essential public services, emergency vehicles, and the seamless supply of necessary commodities to the region.

## Restrictions, Exemptions, and Penalties

The administrative order explicitly prohibits the assembly of five or more persons, the obstruction of NH-62 or any public thoroughfare, the carrying of lathis, stones, or lethal weapons, and the use of loudspeakers or slogan shouting that could potentially breach public peace, according to a report. However, exemptions are provided for ambulances, fire services, security personnel, magistrates, and government employees on official duty. The administration warned that individuals found violating these directives will face strict punitive measures under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

## What this means for you
The delayed construction of National Highway 62 in South Garo Hills and the subsequent ban on public protests carry direct implications for local residents, businesses, and emergency transit across the region.

- **Across India:** The persistent delays in critical infrastructure projects in remote border districts highlight broader administrative challenges regarding road connectivity. This scrutiny influences federal and state execution timelines for remote development corridors.
- **In South Garo Hills:** Local commuters, traders, and everyday citizens continue to suffer due to the lack of a dependable roadway connecting Baghmara to the rest of the state. The ban on planned agitations also curtails avenues for public grievance redressal.
- **Emergency Transit:** Protracted road delays and potential blockades directly threaten the timely movement of ambulances and rescue services. This disruption can delay critical medical interventions for patients requiring urgent regional transfer.
- **Trade and Commerce:** The regional economy relies heavily on the NH-62 corridor for commodity supplies and business logistics. The prolonged standstill translates into higher transportation friction and economic losses for local vendors.
- **Administrative Restrictions:** The enforcement of Section 163 limits public assembly and expression in Baghmara, criminalizing any unauthorized protest. Individuals failing to comply risk strict legal penalties under penal code provisions.

## Why this happened
The ongoing delays in the construction of National Highway 62 in South Garo Hills and the administrative decision to ban planned protests stem from a combination of infrastructural bottlenecks and public safety concerns.

- **Stalled Infrastructure Progress:** The lack of tangible construction work along the Dalu-Baghmara corridor created deep frustration among local residents and civil society groups. Repeated inaction from responsible agencies drove communities toward planning direct agitations.
- **Exhaustion of Prior Channels:** NGOs and local associations previously attempted to resolve the issue through multiple memoranda, protest rallies, and night blockades. When these measures yielded no official response, groups scheduled a protest starting October 28.
- **Public Order Preservation:** The district administration intervened with prohibitory orders to prevent potential disruptions to public peace and order. Authorities emphasized that highway blockades would cripple essential supply chains across the border region.
- **Legal Preventive Measures:** The additional district magistrate invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to legally restrict public gatherings and processions. This action aimed to safeguard emergency services and maintain uninterrupted governmental functions.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Which stretch of National Highway 62 is facing construction delays?
Construction work has been delayed on the Dalu to Baghmara stretch of National Highway 62.

### 2. Which organization announced the protest against the road delay?
The Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Garo Hills Zone, announced a protest starting October 28.

### 3. Under which legal provision did the administration ban the protests?
The administration issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

### 4. What penalty do violators face under the administrative order?
Violators will face punishment under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

### 5. Which services are exempt from the prohibitory orders?
Ambulances, fire services, security forces, magistrates, and government servants on duty are exempt from the restrictions.

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