29-km-long road in Ri Bhoi to ease travel for villagers

NONGPOH: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday unveiled the foundation stone of the much-needed road around the border villages of Umtyrnga area connecting 9 Mer to Umsen via Killing-Pillangkata village.
With a total length of around 29 km, the road, which is funded by the Ministry of DoNER under North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), will greatly benefit the border villagers of the area considering the fact that these villages has been neglected for many decades now.
An estimated Rs 84 crore is being utilised for the project that will better the connectivity of several villages in the state.
While thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the concerted effort to ensure development in the Northeastern region, Conrad, said, “After the recent review meeting on PGMSY schemes in the state, it was realised that in the past 17 years, only 1,800 km of road was constructed, whereas within 3 years alone of the present government, 800 km of road was completed which reflects the commitment and seriousness of the present dispensation towards improving connectivity in the state”. Conrad also thanked DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh, the Deputy Chief Minister in-charge of PWD, Prestone Tynsong, local MLA of Jirang Sosthenes Sohtun and the entire PWD for their dedication to ensure that this project sees the light of the day.
Others who were present included Jirang MLA S Sohtun, Mawhati MLA D Lamare, Nongstoin MLA Macmillan Byrsat, NEC Secretary K Moses Chalai, PWD Secretary PR Marwein, former Umroi MLA Ngaitlang Dhar and Jirang MDC Victor Rani.