By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Revenue & Disaster Management, Prof RC Laloo, on Wednesday said that the land acquisition proceedings for Shillong-Nongstoin-Tura highway is in progress.
Replying to a question posed by James Sangma (NPP) about the status of the land compensation for the project, the Minister said that out of 22 stretches, award for compensation has been approved in four stretches – Wahreng-Umjei in Mairang, Nongstoin Bypass, Umjei-Markasa and Nongkasen-Sohpein in West Khasi Hills District.
According to Prof Laloo, an amount of Rs 1.33 crore as draft award for Wahreng-Umjei was approved in June 2012 while the other three were approved in February 2012.
He also said that the land acquisition proceedings are at different stages in other remaining stretches and compensation will be paid on completion of the proceedings.
He also informed that the respective deputy commissioners have been asked to take necessary action for early land acquisition for the said project.
Sangma, however, pointed out that certain stretches have been completed, but even after their completion, land acquisition is taking time.
It may be mentioned that Hyderabad based M/S BSC-C &C (JV) was on February 21, 2011, allotted the work for construction of the Rs 1494-crore Shillong-Nongstoin-Tura highway.
The firm has been given three years to complete the work.