By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) on Sunday asserted that the four-lane expansion of the Umiam-Jorabat stretch of the Shillong-Guwahati highway (NH 40) can be completed by March provided that the State Government can hand over the land for completion of the Umsning Bypass.
“It would be difficult for us to carry out the work if we don’t get the required land for the Umsning Bypass,” an NHAI official said on Sunday.
The NHAI official also admitted that the work for the project has come to a halt due to the unseasonal rain.
It is learnt that the NHAI officials recently met Chief Secretary WMS Pariat who assured that State Government would expedite the process of handing over the required land to the Authority.
Ri Bhoi Deputy Commissioner Akashdeep, however, informed that the NHAI wanted a separate letter from the State Government since some modifications have been done in the alignment of the Umsning Bypass.
“Acquisition process is on and the land would be handed over to them when they pay the money to us,” he said.
Akashdeep also said that the court has already disposed off a case which was filed by some NGOs and local residents of Umsning against the State Government’s decision to construct the four-lane highway through the Umsning Bypass.
“It is for the State Government to decide from where it wants to construct the road,” he added.