Govt to revamp roads in Jowai

SHILLONG, May 7: Around 32 km of roads in Jowai town will be rehabilitated under the World Bank project.
According to an official of the Public Works Department (PWD), the tender for the project has been invited following which roads in feasible locations of the town would be rehabilitated.
In addition, the department has also invited a tender for the Umsning-Jagiroad road, which would render benefit to the people who frequently travel to neighbouring Assam.
Moreover, a major component of the Ishyrwat-Mawpdang road in New Shillong Township (NST) has been completed, the official said.
“Now, only markings and road signage are required and these work would be taken up after the rainy season,” the official said.
The last five kilometres of the road continues to be a single-lane route but the PWD is working on a plan to convert the stretch to a double lane.
Once the road is complete, the connectivity between Shillong city and Ri-Bhoi is expected to improve drastically. However, there are apprehensions about the present road at NST not being able to withstand the load of busy traffic. Many feel that eventually a four-lane road would be required.
But the PWD official has admitted that it would be difficult to convert the road to a four-lane stretch due to residential areas in the area.