SHILLONG: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has expressed its concern over the deteriorating condition of the Shillong-Guwahati Highway and sought the permission of the state government to carry out the maintenance work of the lifeline of Meghalaya.
An official from the NHAI admitted that the road is getting deteriorated and the contractor of the road is duty bound to carry out the works.
The official said that right now, only a bunch of people of the contractor are stationed in Meghalaya to look after the maintenance.
“Machines and manpower are ready and we only need the permission of the state government. Once the government gives the permission to work, the maintenance work would be carried out by maintaining all protocols,” the official said.
Responding to a query about the plan of converting the road into six lanes, the official said that the State Government has written in this regard to the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways and though NHAI is ready to convert the project into six lanes, no such direction has come from the Ministry as of now.
The 62-km four-lane project was taken up by the NHAI as the implementing agency and the project after much delay was completed at a cost of Rs 536 crore.
Informing that the Assam Chief Minister has already approached the Union Government for converting the road from Guwahati to Jorabat into a six lane, the official also added the contract of the existing toll agency has expired and the new agency has not taken over the charge and are awaiting necessary permissions from the government.
The official also said that the authorities must ensure that the flow of water in the drainage along the road is not disturbed failing which road would be flooded in the rainy season and there would be risks of road accidents.