2015 deadline for construction of 1625 km of rural roads at USD 230 million
SHILLONG: Meghalaya is faced with the daunting task of constructing 1625 kilometers of rural roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Rural Roads Project (Phase II) by 2015.
This major project is set to be taken up at a cost of USD 230 million funded by the World Bank.
The project was the subject of discussion between officials of the World Bank and Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma here on Friday.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma said the Government would cover those villages that have not been covered under any other scheme.
The Public Works Department has already prepared 224 Detailed Project Reports for approximately 600 kilometers of rural roads under the Rural Roads Project.
According to Dr Sangma, the Government needs to have a comprehensive plan for effective transport system in the form of railways, roads and inland and put in place an institutionalized system of transport.
He also informed that the Government has urged the World Bank to provide consultancy services to the State in preparing the estimates and details of the proposed projects.
He asserted that the Government wants to embark on the initiative of upgrading state highways and district roads but as fund constraints are an issue the Government needs to identify such roads and post it before the Union Ministry.
The Chief Minister admitted that there was a need to fast track the implementation of the PMGSY as Government does not have much time at its disposal.
PWD Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, meanwhile, said the Government would appoint additional consultancies to help the department in preparing the DPRs of the project.
“If the deadline is missed, extension is given to states if there are certain issues,” Dhar asserted.
Plans to develop inland water ways
In the absence of any railway network in the State, the Government is planning to develop inland water ways for trade and commerce with Bangladesh.
The scope of development and use of inland water ways was discussed between the Chief Minister and a delegation of the World Bank here on Friday.
Later, the Chief Minister said, “We will appoint consultants and link the inland water ways.”
According to the Chief Minister, transportation of goods through water ways is the cheapest mode of transportation since transportation through water ways costs Rupees eight per metric ton for every kilometer, while transportation through railways costs Rupees thirty while road ways costs Rupees fifty.
The Chief Minister informed that initially the Government is mulling to develop Jingjiram river connecting Bramhaputra, Kynshi and Simsang rivers as inland water way for import and export of goods to and from Bangladesh.