From Our Correspondent
TURA: Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma has said Meghalaya has been very fortunate to receive the maximum accord of funds from the Central Government for road projects in the entire north-eastern region. He said the Union Cabinet recently approved the sanction of 93 kms stretch of road length for the State which would be funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Speaking on the sidelines of the foundation laying ceremony for construction of the 28-km-long Ampati-Purakhasia all weather road that connects his constituency to the fringes of the international border with Bangladesh, Dr Sangma said it would be his government’s endeavour to ensure that all road projects are completed within the stipulated time frame.
Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Manmohan and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, he said it was a matter of pride for the State to receive the maximum accord of funds for road projects.
“This by far is the longest stretch accorded to any state in the North-East by the Centre and it is our privilege to receive it,” stated the Chief Minister.
Under the Special Plan Assistance (SPA) the Ampati-Purakhasia road has been accorded an initial sanction of Rs 35 crore and it is likely to benefit over 50 villages in the area with the government setting a two-year time frame for its completion.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, PWD minister Saleng A Sangma observed that the road would go a long way in mitigating the problems of the people while transferring their agricultural produce to the market. “There are so many phaltu (illegal) check gates along the present route and this is the primary reason for hike in prices of agricultural products,” Saleng said adding, “Imagine farmers are taxed up to Rs 10 per pumpkin no wonder it is so expensive in the market,” even as he affirmed “I want to make it my mission to end such illegal practices so that the common man is relieved of this burden once and for all.”
Further asserting that the present government is keen on developing every nook and corner of the state, Saleng said residents of the Ampati-Purakhasia area who have been using this road daily would know how important this road project is for them. “Any such project can lead to improvement in people’s lives in other spheres of life,” he added.
Following the foundation stone laying, a public meeting was held at Anangpara village to mark the occasion. Dr. Sangma told the gathering that this is the first road in the state to be constructed using a new technology from Germany. He added that under the Special Plan Assistance, the Centre has sanctioned Rs 350 crore for improving, black-topping and widening of existing roads in the state to convert them to all-weather roads using the German technology while explaining that this technology would not only save time spent on collecting stones but also help prevent environmental degradation. Opining that it is vital to address the infrastructural gaps for all-round development, the CM informed that Rs 50 lakh has been sanctioned for every block towards black-topping of roads constructed under MGNREGS.
Others who also spoke on the occasion included co-chairman, state planning board Zenith Sangma, executive member of the GHADC Kredithson Marak, Nokma (chieftain) of Anangpara H Sangma and West Garo Hills deputy commissioner, Sanjay Goyal, who also chaired the function.