SHILLONG: While the ongoing construction of the Shillong-Nongstoin-Tura road has made steady progress in West Khasi Hills and Garo Hills, the work for the project is yet to take off in East Khasi Hills thanks to the land acquisition hurdle in the district.
While a major portion of the work in West Khasi Hills and Garo Hills has already been completed, East Khasi Hills is still waiting for the land acquisition process to begin in certain stretches.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Sanjay Goyal said that the land acquisition process would soon start for some stretches in the district while in other areas the land has already been handed over for the project.
He informed that for the land acquisition process, the District Administration has to carry out social impact assessment of villagers who would part with their land for the project and the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) has already been asked to take necessary measures in this regard.
While stating that land acquisition for the project may take some more time, Goyal, however, informed that the alignment for the project is almost over.
It may be mentioned that the Shillong-Tura road project is being executed by the Hyderabad-based company BSC-C&C JV.
Though the agreement to execute the project was made on February 21, 2011, actual work started only in November that year.
The construction along the 264.30-kilometre Shillong-Nongstoin-Tura road at an estimated cost of Rs 1494 crore has already missed its March 2014 deadline. The project, once completed, will provide relief to the people who have to travel through Assam to reach Garo Hills.
