Conrad inspects AMPT road; work expected to start in Sept

TURA, July 20: Following reports of the extremely dilapidated condition of the Agia-Medhipara-Phulbari-Tura (AMPT) road, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Wednesday paid a visit to the area while also informing residents of the government’s intention on what the government was doing to ensure smooth operation.
The AMPT road has been the object of ridicule in the state for the fact that most sections of the road have not only become unnavigable while other sections remain a travellers nightmare.
During his visit to Rajabala this afternoon, Conrad Sangma informed that work on the road was being taken up on an immediate basis with work expected to start in the month of September this year when rains relent.
Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills, Swapnil Tembe had informed that tendering for the route was expected to finish by the end of July.
The AMPT road has remained in a shabby state for decades with minimal repairs being undertaken on a nominal basis though a majority of the road has remained in shambles.
The CM explained that despite being an important economic corridor for the entire plain-belt area, the road has remained neglected.
He added that that in the past there were sanctions to repair but it made no headway.
“Earlier small projects were being undertaken to repair damaged sections but that does not seem to have helped. Now more than Rs 50 crore has been sanctioned to redo the road and over Rs 50 crore from the DoNER Ministry has been sanctioned. A tender has been floated and should be completed in a month’s time and work is expected to start in September,” said the chief minister during his visit.