By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The State Government is expected to take a final call on the four laning project after weighing all pros and cons in the matter.
Reiterating that the Government would have the final say on whether the four laning would pass through the Umsning bypass or the existing road at Umsning, Chief Secretary WMS Pariat on Monday said, “We would select the route which is more convenient and which is best suited.”
Dismissing queries that the Government may face obstacles from land owners who do not wish to hand over their land for the project, Pariat said, “There are provisions in the law which allows the Government to acquire any land by force if it pertains to the larger interest of the State.”
The Chief Secretary also seemed at ease over the ongoing war of words between PWD Minister HDR Lyngdoh and some NGOs from Ri-Bhoi district, saying, “I do not see any problem in this ongoing war of words.”
“One should understand that not all NGOs in Ri-Bhoi are against the construction of the four laning through the existing road. There are NGOs who are supporting the PWD Minister,” he said.
Pariat, however, was of the opinion that there was a need to break the deadlock.
“The Government would definitely call the NGOs (who are opposing the decision of the Government) for talks to end the stalemate once and for all,” the Chief Secretary said, while strongly claiming that the Government would not bow to any pressure while taking a final decision on the issue.
The Chief Secretary also informed that the Government would soon invite NHAI and the M/S IL&FS Transportation Limited, Mumbai and Ramky Infrastructures (JV), Hyderabad, the two firms involved in the four laning construction, for discussion in this connection.