SHILLONG: The state government will soon notify land acquisition for the Shillong-Dawki road project which has been funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong has informed that the social impact assessment (SIA) report has been submitted to the Revenue department for the acquisition.
According to Tynsong, the 95-km road project is being taken up at a cost of Rs 1,377.5 crore, including land acquisition.
The deputy chief minister also informed that the project will include construction of the 368-metre long and 12.5-metre wide bridge across the Umngot river in Dawki.
“We are hopeful that the project will take off as soon as the land acquisition process is completed,” Tynsong said.
It is learnt that the JICA will not release funds for any project unless 90 per cent of the land is available with the government. In the past, it had diverted funds and may do the same again if there is a delay in acquisition of the land.
The project has been divided into four packages.
The first package comprises of 10 kms starting from Shillong city and passing through defence area. In the defence area, the implementing agency is waiting for the approval of Ministry of Defence for transfer of land.
For the second and third packages too, there are similar land acquisition issues and the Meghalaya Institute of Governance (MIG) has conducted the SIA study and submitted a report to the deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills district.
The DPR includes a four-lane road from Umshyrpi to Mylliem and a two-lane road thereafter connecting Dawki and Tamabil.
It may be mentioned Gurugram-based Transys Consulting Private Limited is the contractor for the project.
