By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Double-laning of 109-kilometre stretch of road from Jowai to Malidor (National Highway 44) is all set to start by next year.
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has informed that it has been approved under the phase III of the National Highway Development Programme (NHDP).
“We can start the work next year as we require at least six months time for financial enclosure,” NHAI sources added.
Now, since the project has been approved, the NHAI and the Jaintia Hills district administration need to sit and prepare the estimates for the project.
“We even have to discuss land issue,” sources added.
The proposed two-lane road is expected to improve the connectivity in the interior areas of Jaintia Hills besides largely reducing traffic snarls in and around Jowai town.
The project will be implemented by the Simplex Infrastructure Limited, an Indian Firm.
It is learnt that the preliminary project report has been completed and the Revenue and Forest department is presently examining the land plan.
The section beyond Sonapur passing through hilly terrain also needs to be reviewed for selecting Tunnels or existing alignment
It may be mentioned that the work for the Jorabat-Umiam, Shillong Bypass and Shillong Tura Nongstoin road is underway and all the projects are expected to be commissioned within 2014.