By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma has informed that the Shillong Bypass would be inaugurated before Christmas.
“We are planning to inaugurate the project somewhere in the second or third week of December. This would be the first project in the region which is being completed one year ahead of the deadline,” Dr Sangma said while speaking to reporters here on Thursday.
The Chief Minister also said that he would soon write to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to know who would be coming from New Delhi to inaugurate the project.
Pointing out that the completion of the Shillong Bypass would help to ease the traffic congestion in the city, Dr Sangma said that the Bypass would be beneficial not only to Meghalaya but also for other states in the region like Mizoram, Tripura and parts of Manipur.
Admitting that Shillong would continue to grow, Dr Sangma said that the Government would have to look for new options since the Shillong Bypass would only help to ease the congestion for a temporary period.
“It is because of this reason that the Government is trying to get back certain portion of defense lands which would help in the expansion of the city roads,” he said.
While informing that the Government has adopted a totally different approach in getting back the defense land, the Chief Minister said that the government has decided to hold dialogues with local defense authorities to find out ways and means on the mechanism through which the defense land could be transferred to the government.
“We have realized that it is futile to take up the matter with the defense authorities at the top level. It is always seen that the top authorities again refer back to the authorities at the local level. Therefore, the issue remains unresolved,” Dr Sangma said.
He said that the Government would now approach the top level only after arriving at an agreement with the local defense authorities.
“We have in fact held a meeting with the local defense authorities only on Tuesday last. We would continue with this exercise until we arrive at some kind of agreement with is acceptable to both parties,” the Chief Minister said.
It may be noted that the Shillong Bypass project, which has been lingering for more than 20 years, has finally seen its materialization with construction work nearing completion at an impressive pace in different parts of East Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi districts.
The 47.06-km Bypass, which will start at Umiam in Ri-Bhoi district and end at National Highway 44 at Mawryngkneng in East Khasi Hills district, is being implemented by M/S GR -Chetak (JV).
The Bypass which is being constructed at a cost of Rs 220.35 crore will includes one major and eight minor bridges.