Lack of funds: State blames Centre for road blocks

SHILLONG: The Centre’s decision to stop funds under the Special Central Assistance has made the going tougher for cash-strapped Meghalaya, especially in executing road projects, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said on Wednesday.
Speaking at the gathering after inaugurating the road connecting Police Bazar to Polo via Earle Sanatorium here, Sangma said after 2014, not a single road project was allotted under the special assistance that was discontinued despite the State’s requests.
The State Government has asked the Centre to connect all parts of Meghalaya under the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for the North East (SARDP-NE) programme.
“Resources for the State have always been a challenge as far as road construction is concerned because it is expensive to build roads in hilly areas,” he said.
 At present, a few road projects, like Ranikor-Baghmara, are being taken up in the State.
On the new road in the city, Sangma said this would ease traffic congestion in Shillong, Tura and Jowai. He added that the government has drawn an exhaustive action plan to clear traffic bottlenecks in different parts of the State.
Earlier, PWD (Roads) Minister M.M Danggo informed that the department is doing its best to improve connectivity and wherever land is available roads will be widened. He added that there is tangible improvement in road connectivity.
The 505 meters road has been constructed at a cost of Rs 7.58 crore and the land for the construction of the road was donated free of cost by Earle Sanatorium Trust.
Also present at the function were local MLA Roshan Warjri, senior officers of PWD (Roads) and representatives of local bodies from Oakland and Bivar Road.