Basic infrastructure and amenities missing from Shillong Bypass

SHILLONG: It has been more than six months since the Shillong Bypass was opened to traffic, but the 47.06 km bypass still lacks required infrastructure which is of utmost importance for the travelers who frequent the road.
First of all, there is no sign of a petrol pump in the entire stretch of Shillong Bypass and people have to make sure that their fuel tanks are full when they take a tour on the Bypass.
Similarly, hundreds of long distance Silchar and Agartala bound buses ply on the road but till date no food joints or Dhaba’s have opened up in the road.
The road also lacks any medical services like the presence of any hospital or ambulance services and people who drive on the road often feels that at least a CHC or a PHC should be opened in the close proximity of the road.
The need for medical services along the road holds great significance since vehicles on the road ply at horrifying speed and it is an accident prone road.
The Bypass does not have road side vehicle workshop where vehicles can be repaired if any snag comes up.
“What would happen if a vehicle broke down on this road at night,” said Hamid Syiemlieh who often drives his vehicle on the road.
The project, which had been lingering for the past two decades was finally opened last year and the Bypass is now fully operational though formal inauguration of the project was never done.
Sources here also informed that now the Government is acquiring additional land for putting up a toll gate where people have to pay some amount to travel on the road.
The 47.06-km Bypass, which begins at Umiam in Ri-Bhoi district and ends on National Highway-44 at Mawryngkneng in East Khasi Hills District has been constructed at a cost of Rs 220.35 crore and it includes one major and eight minor bridges.