Land hurdle delays Jowai-Ratacherra road project

SHILLONG: The 102-km Jowai-Ratacherra road project will be commissioned by February next year, said an official of the implementing agency on Friday.
The official of GR Infrastructure said the agency is not getting land for constructing two toll gates, one in West Jaintia Hills and the other in East, which are part of the project.
According to the norm, there should be two toll gates on a road above 100 km and toll rates should be decided after necessary calculations.
“We are persuading the State Government and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for land but so far nothing has happened,” the official said.
It is also learnt that the road widening work has been completed up to Sonapur and now work is on to complete the remaining 32 km.
The road will also have amenities in two spots with restaurants, restrooms and
washrooms. A lay-bye 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 numerous difficulties to commuters who have had to brave the dilapidated stretch. Hence, its repair will be a welcome change. The project cost is Rs 630 crore.