Shillong-Dawki road project still plagued

SHILLONG, Nov 15: The Shillong-Dawki road project is marred by snags and glitches but land acquisition seems to be the reason hindering the progress of the much-awaited project as around 40-50 land owners residing along different patches of the road are not willing to donate land for the project.
The project is already running behind the deadline.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who reviewed different road projects here with line departments, said that landowners in some portions are not accepting the compensation, adding that the state government has instructed East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner to pursue and convince the land owners to accept the compensation.
Some landowners lament that the estimate is too low, while others are just not willing to part with their land.
It may be noted that the project, despite being conceived a long time ago, is yet to make any satisfactory progress.
Even the work on Package 1 — the road Shillong to Upper Shillong — has been stalled for months after the contractor abandoned the work. Only recently, the National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) re-invited the tender.
Meanwhile, Tynsong also stated that a new bridge is being constructed which would replace Dwar Ksuid bridge over Shillong Bypass.
The contractor has told the government that the bridge would come up in 4-5 months.
The state government on Tuesday also reviewed other projects like Nongstoin-Rambrai-Kyrshai road and even the Maheshkhola Ranikor and Baghmara road. Even minor issues are expected to be resolved by the end of this month.