By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 4: The state government has informed that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has already put up proposals to the Centre for the repair and construction of various stretches of National Highway-6 (NH-6) in East Jaintia Hills district.
“The NHAI has already sent in the proposal to the Centre. Some have been approved and work in some stretches has already started,” informed Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, while replying to a query about the deteriorated stretches of NH-6.
He said, “We are on the job, and have been coordinating with the NHAI on a regular basis. Some of the packages have already started, some sanctioned, and some are in the pipeline.”
Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister in charge of PWD (Roads), Prestone Tynsong, had announced that the stretch from Lad Umroi to Malidor along NH-6 in East Jaintia Hills district will undergo upgrades to become a four-lane road.
He informed that the project has been handed over to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), and they are currently conducting surveys and coordinating with respective deputy commissioners to identify land.
Regarding repairs on NH-6, Tynsong had mentioned that he recently met with the Ministry of Road Transport secretary to discuss the poor condition of the highway, particularly from Lumshnong to Umkiang.
A Joint Action Committee (JAC) from East Jaintia Hills has also asked the state government to take urgent steps to repair the deplorable NH-6, especially the stretch between Lumshnong and Malidor. The JAC has further threatened to launch an agitation if the repair work does not start.
The JAC, headed by Waheh Shnong of Umkiang, Lasting Pala, had also met Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong to apprise him of the pitiable condition of the highway and the problems faced by commuters and the locals.