NH 44 up gradation work to begin this month

SHILLONG: Construction work for the proposed up gradation of National Highway 44 from Jowai in West Jaintia Hills to Malidor on the Meghalaya-Assam border will start within this month.
West Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner Arunkumar Kembhav on Tuesday said that land required for the project will have to be acquired with the new rates even as he stated that last time the land was acquired with the old rates in the year 2013.
He further informed that he has asked the PWD to prepare the plans and estimates for the road project and submit the same to him.
“Initially, they will start with minor repair works and later they will start the up gradation work on the highway with the consent of the concerned land owners,” he said.
He also added that NHAI has not deposited any amount to be paid as compensation for land acquisition.
The project, under which the Jowai-Malidor stretch is scheduled to be converted into a two lane highway with paved shoulders on either side, requires additional land for setting up of infrastructures like toll gates, junctions and others.
The total cost of the project is estimated to be Rs.368.88 crore including environmental cost of Rs.2.28 crore and another Rs.9.17 crore for shifting of utilities, land acquisition and resettlement & rehabilitation.
The expansion work of the arterial NH 44 has been approved under Phase III of the National Highway Development Programme.