SHILLONG: Road connectivity in the landlocked State may improve if projects worth Rs 3,724 crore are implemented successfully without glitches.
As per the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), there are as many as 11 projects in the State which will cover 812.86km of roads.
Among the important road projects in the pipeline are two-laning of Mawshynrut -Athiabari (Hahim) road for Rs 266 crore, two-laning of State road from Nongstoin to Wahkaji at a cost of Rs 293 crore, but it has hit a stumbling block after opposition from pressure groups.
Also, the project is yet to receive the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council’s approval for land acquisition. This has delayed acquiring land by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department. Besides, the agreement could not be signed due to non-availability of NOC from the KHADC.
Another major road project is the 161-km Assam-Meghalaya border to Dalu via Baghmara under JICA funding and the total project cost is Rs 966 crore. M/s Stanley Consultant Pvt. Ltd is the implementing firm for the project.
Paper work is also underway for the Rs 426-crore two-laning project for Nongstoin-Rambrai-Kyrshai road up to Meghalaya-Assam border.
The West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner started land acquisition after NHIDCL finalised the alignment last year and it is likely to be complete shortly.
