Official sources said that the State Government is serious about developing its waterways and therefore would dredge some of the rivers to make them suitable for transportation.
They said that the Duba channel in Nongjri Elaka and Dear Valley in Umniuh Elaka are authorised trade routes under Bholaganj Land Custom Station, Sangma said some of these waterways have become unsuitable for transportation during the dry season due to dwindling water level.
These waterways were once the most important trade routes for the people from the hills of Khasi Hills and the people of Bangladesh in the plains.