SHILLONG: The National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) will implement projects to the tune of Rs 18,869 crore in Meghalaya, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Tuesday.
Gadkari, who reviewed the ongoing national highway projects in the northeastern states, told reporters that the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) will be withdrawn from the region and NHIDCL will take care of the road projects in the North East because it “is responsible for construction of roads in the NE and was established by the government for special road construction”.
Lauding NHIDCL for fast tracking all the road projects in the region, he said 52km of road projects are in progress in Meghalaya at a cost of Rs 520 crore and 599 km of road will be constructed under Bharatmala project at a cost of Rs 8,686 crore.
“Similarly, other DPRs are also in the process for 644 km of roads at a cost of Rs 9,663 crore,” he added.
These are besides the ongoing 12km road project worth Rs 164 crore. “Projects worth Rs 159 crore will be sanctioned for Meghalaya this year,” Gadkari informed.
The National Highway Authority of India is carrying out the 62 km road project in Meghalaya. The Rs 563-crore project will be completed by next month.
Earlier, he also informed that the cost involvement for total works in the North East region under NHIDCL is Rs 1,66,026 crore while the cost involvement in the region under PWD is Rs 17,257 crore and NHAI has completed work of 850 km at Rs 7,000 crore in the region.
Seeking cooperation of chief ministers of the region for addressing the delays in land acquisition, forest clearances and utility shifting, Gadkari also requested senior officials in the Ministry and the chief ministers to review all road projects in the region in every 3-4 months.
The minister also warned of stringent action if any compromise is made with the quality of road.
