SHILLONG: The frequent bandhs and night road blockades have affected the ongoing work of Umiam-Jorabat four-lane project, raising questions if the project could be completed within its timeline of March 2014.
“The frequent agitation is affecting us as this is the working season for us,” Umiam-Jorabat Expressway project Director Vinod Tripathi said while talking to The Shillong Times recently.
He said the organisers of the bandh should allow the implementing agencies to continue their work since the road is for the benefit of the people of Meghalaya.
“The physical progress of the project is fifty five percent and completion of the project would be certainly delayed if the agitations continue,” he said.
It may be mentioned that the work of the expressway was completely halted for months due to monsoon season and it began only in September but the ongoing agitations have once again slowed down the pace of the work.
Two new firms — NKC and YFC agencies — have taken over the project from Ramky Infrastructure Limited since the progress of the project was unsatisfactory.
Tripathi rued the unavailability of land while stating that they are yet to get the remaining land from the State Government and so far Government has not handed over any land for the Umsning Bypass project.
“We would surely finish the work in those places where land is available,” he said.
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 with an estimated budget of Rs 536 crore.
As per the initial agreement, IFLS had assigned Ramky Infrastructure with the task of constructing the four-lane expressway from Jorabat to Lad Umroi and the latter then entered into a sub contract agreement with YFC Projects Private Ltd. for construction of the express way from Umdihar to Lad Umroi. Ramky has undertaken the task of constructing the highway from Jorabat till Umdihar.