SHILLONG, July 27: The Meghalaya government on Thursday approved a fresh alignment of the 8-9 km Pynursla Bypass under the third package of the much-delayed Shillong-Dawki Road project.
The alignment was finalised during a meeting attended by officials of NHIDCL, DFO, MeECL and other line departments.
The approved alignment will now be sent to the NHIDCL headquarters for approval.
PWD (Roads and Buildings) Minister Prestone Tynsong said the government has entrusted the NHIDCL and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to negotiate with the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism for parting of land for the project.
Admitting that the project is getting delayed, he said things are beyond the control of the government. Among the factors leading to the delay is the peculiar land tenure system in the state, he added.
He said that if a landowner refuses to give land, it becomes a big challenge for the state government to redraw the alignment.
He also said that the road beyond Pynursla would be repaired soon.
The High Court of Meghalaya had passed an order prohibiting the felling of trees along the stretch under Package 1 of the Shillong-Dawki Road project till issues with its implementation are ironed out.
During an election rally earlier this year, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said the work on the Shillong-Dawki Road would be completed by April 2024.
‘Illegal activities must stop’
Tynsong, who is also the Home Minister, said illegal activities have to stop in view of the peace talks among the Centre, state government and the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council.
He said this with reference to reports that some people received demand notes purportedly from the HNLC.
Tynsong said the police are investigating matters pertaining to the demand notes although the HNLC leaders he met with said they were fake.
“The HNLC is serious about the talks,” he said, adding that the outfit is unlikely to do anything that may jeopardise the peace process.
