SHILLONG: The construction of the Shillong-Dawki road is likely to begin in parts this year.
A PWD official said necessary approvals for the project, which has been divided into five packages, are awaited.
The project needs clearance from the Forest Department and defence authorities for the first 1.5-km road. The chairman of National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd is likely to take up the matter with defence secretary.
According to officials, so far “there are no issues with land acquisition except the stretch in Pynursla” where a certain section does not want the bypass to go through Pynursla village.
The 95-km Shillong-Dawki road is to be taken up at a cost of Rs 1,377.5 crore, including land acquisition. M/s Transys Consulting Pvt Ltd is the contractor.
Loan agreement for the project was signed with a Japanese company earlier this year. The loan effectuation date has been extended up to November 2018.
The status of the project was also reviewed by the chief minister last week.
The groundwork for the project is progressing steadily. The alignment issues raised by the Forest Department last year from 2.5 km to 3.5km (3rd Mile bypasses) have been taken up with the state government and the Forest Department has in-principle approved alignment from 1.9km to 2.50km.
The social impact assessment and land alignment reports for the stretch in East Khasi Hills have been submitted to the deputy commissioner and similar groundwork is going on in Jaintia Hills.
NOC for Package II has been received from the KHADC. Apart from providing better connectivity to Dawki, the road will be beneficial for trade and commerce with neighbouring Bangladesh. The project includes a four-lane road from Umshyrpi to Mylliem and a two-lane road thereafter connecting Dawki and Tamabil.
