SHILLONG: The two-laning project for Ranikor-Baghmara Road will help in improving connectivity in South West Khasi Hills.
Officials said widening and earthen shouldering of the Ranikor-Baghmara Road via Maheshkhola, Mahadeo and Rongra will start shortly. The Tripartite Supplementary agreement involving the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation, State PWD and M/s Holtec Consulting Pvt. Ltd was signed in May.
The 130-km road will be taken up at a cost of Rs 695 crore.
According to officials, no-objection certificates for Maheshkhola-Baghmara and Ranikor-Maheshkola portions have been issued by both the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council and the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council.
Besides, a part amount of Rs 5 lakh has also been released to the South Garo Hills DC for initiating land acquisition.
A visit from Ranikor to Maheshkhola revealed that the road condition till Nongjri is fairly good but the problem starts from Nongjri.
The single lane road from Nongjri to Maheshkhola with deep gorges on several stretches is not blacktopped. The situation worsens during monsoon.
