From Our Correspondent
JOWAI: The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) on Friday conducted a public hearing for the proposed upgradation of the existing road on the National Highway-44 from Jowai to Malidor along the Meghalaya-Assam border to two lanes on each side with paved shoulders.
The public hearing was conducted by officials of the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) in the presence of Extra Additional Commissioner, SS Syiemlieh and NHAI officials at Ialong village. The headmen, village secretaries and residents along the highway also attended the hearing.
In a slide presentation, the NHAI assured that all measures will be taken to ensure that the rehabilitation and upgradation of the highway does not affect the environment.
Around 3450 trees, which fall within the project site, are likely to be cut and 318 structures, out of which 299 are private, would be affected by the project which would take the number of Project Affected Persons (PAPs) to over 1900.
The total project cost is Rs 368.88 crore which would include Rs 2.28 crore for environmental cost and Rs 9.174 crore for shifting of utilities, land acquisition and resettlement & rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, the Dorbar Shnong of Ialong village passed a resolution on Wednesday demanding that the compensations for the land and structures be paid for before the project starts so as to enable all the displaced families to make an alternative arrangement.
The Dorbar Shnong also demanded that the entire cost of the partially damaged buildings and the land be assessed as per the urban rate while adding that prior to the land acquisition, the recommended rate of the land per square feet/square meter should be made known publicly.
