Govt to have safety audit of NH-40

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has informed that an independent safety auditing of the landslide prone Shillong-Guwahati National Highway 40 will be carried out by the State Government before getting the competition certificate.
In reply to questions by Opposition Leader Donkupar Roy (UDP), James Sangma (NPP) and Jemino Mawthoh (UDP), the chief minister said that while a safety auditing was being carried out by the National Highway Authority of India, an independent safety audit will be carried out by the State Government which will be placed before the NHAI.
The chief minister said that the State Government had insisted on slope stabilization along the highway as there is a fear of boulders rolling down triggered by landslides. “We have been assured that necessary steps will be initiated by the implementing agency,” Sangma added.
As far as the status of the construction of the Shillong-Guwahati road was concerned, PWD Minister
Sniawbhalang Dhar said that the construction of balance portion, which is the Umsning Bypass (5.27 km), is pending.
“91.56 km of the Shillong-Guwahati road project has been completed with the exception of the Umsning Bypass,” he said.
The minister added that the landslide affected portion of the road was yet to be fully cleared.
On the Shillong-Nongstoin National Highway project, the minister said that land acquisition process was still on in several portions.
In reply to a separate question by Witting Mawsor (HSPDP), Dhar said that the black topping of PWD roads from Kyllonmatthei (NH) to Doranggre in West Khasi Hills was delayed due to law and order problems.