SHILLONG: The work on the Umiam-Jorabat four-lane project is back on track after an unnecessary delay, though the pace of the construction is quite slow.
Sources have informed that the construction work has picked up a bit of pace following a recent review meeting between the State Government and the implementing agency.
Since the pace of work is very slow, there is apprehension that the project may not be completed within the March 2014 deadline.
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), which is implementing the project, has informed the State government of the need for additional land along the existing highway and even through the Umsning bypass for the four-lane project.
Acting on the demands of the NHAI, the district administration has already started the process of acquiring additional land along the existing highway. It was informed that the NHAI would release compensation funds for the additional land once the acquisition process is completed.
The 62-km four-laning of NH 40 (Umiam to Jorabat) has been taken up by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) as the implementing agency which is executing the work through the Hyderabad-based Ramky Infrastructure Limited at a tender cost of Rs 536 crore.