SHILLONG: The 102-km Jowai-Ratcherra double lane road project will be commissioned by February next year. The project cost is Rs 630 crores.
Informing this here on Friday, an official of the implementing agency, GR Infrastructure, however, rued that they were not getting the land for constructing two toll gates which would be a part of the project.
One of the toll gates is scheduled to come up in West Jaintia Hills while the other one will come up in East Jaintia Hills.
According to the guidelines, there should be two toll gates in any road project that is more than 100 km and toll rates should be decided after necessary calculations.
“We have been pursuing the State Government and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for the land but till date, we have not got the land,” the official said.
It was also informed that the road widening work had been completed till Sonapur and now the work was being carried out in the remaining 32 kilometers.
The road will also have amenities in two points with restaurants, restrooms and washrooms. A lay-by for trucks will also be constructed.
The expansion work of the arterial NH-44 has been approved under Phase-III of the National Highway Development Programme and the road will be a boon not only for Meghalaya but also for other neighbouring states, including Assam and Mizoram.
The Jowai-Ratacherra road has over the years posed great difficulty to commuters who have to brave the dilapidated stretch. Hence, its repair will be a welcome change.