By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The proposed expansion of NH 44 from Jowai to Malidor along the Meghalaya-Assam border which was scheduled to start this year has been delayed.
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), which is the implementing agency, is likely to start the two-lane expansion work only next year as the NHAI and the district administration are yet to finalise the contractual provisions and other formalities.
“The project will definitely take off next year,” sources from the NHAI said on Monday.
As per the proposed project, the NHAI will upgrade the existing road to a two-lane highway with paved shoulders on each side.
Meanwhile, West Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner, PS Dkhar, informed that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) would be soon sent to the State Revenue Department for necessary action.
He informed that the NHAI has already conducted the survey and inspection of the entire road.
Around 3450 trees which fall within the project site are likely to be axed and 318 structures, out of which 299 are private, would be affected by the project which would take the number of project affected persons to over 1900.
The total cost of the project is Rs 368.88 crore which would include Rs 2.28 crore for environmental cost and Rs 9.17 crore for shifting of utilities, land acquisition and resettlement & rehabilitation.
The expansion work of the arterial NH 44 has been approved under Phase III of the National Highway Development Programme.
The project will be implemented by Simplex Infrastructure Limited, an Indian Firm based in Kolkata.
